AP Samastha criticises mixed-gender poll celebrations

Kozhikode: The Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musaliyar-led Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulema has come out strongly against the intermingling of men and women during election victory celebrations organized by political groups formed in the name of the Muslim community. In a joint statement, Samastha president E Sulaiman Musaliyar and general secretary Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musaliyar said it was unacceptable for men and women to come together in public celebrations, embrace each other, take to the streets and engage in behaviour not permitted by religious teachings as part of poll victory celebrations of political parties formed in the name of Muslim community. The statement stressed that Islam accords women dignity, respect, and freedom in their own right and any activities that ignore these principles or disregard basic human values are objectionable and warrant protest. The leaders cautioned political organisations to ensure that such practices do not recur in the future. Calling upon community and political leaders to act responsibly, the Samastha leadership urged them to uphold and respect religious symbols, rituals, and cultural practices. It stressed that political activities should not undermine or distort religious values for short-term gains. The statement also criticised attempts to ridicule or exploit sacred places such as Sabarimala, which is deeply revered by Hindus, for party politics. "All concerned should refrain from using religions and religious symbols for power politics," it said, in an apparent reference to the recent controversy surrounding the ‘Pottiye Kettiye' song. The A P Sunni faction has traditionally aligned with LDF.