Muslim clerics in Kerala have banned women in public life, but some members of the community say Islamic Law does not allow such restriction.

The Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulema (SKJU, Supreme Council of Islamic Leaders in Kerala) issued a  fatwa on June 12, stating that it is "illegal" and "improper" for Muslim women to enter public life.

A second fatwa on June 20 insisted that Muslim families "stop video and photo coverage of marriages." The orders also ban Muslim women from sharing public platform with men ... According to the Indian Union of Muslim League (IUML), the Muslim community's main political party, the decree from the religious leaders stems from an "unprecedented increase" in Muslim women's entry into state politics. About 20 percent of Kerala's 30 million people are Muslims.

IUML records showed that some 300 Muslim women have become members of various "panchayat" (village council) committees in Kerala and are engaged in social and public service activities. Qamarunnisa Anwar, president of IUML women's wing, said her party planned to field some 500 women members in the panchayat elections scheduled for October. Religious leaders resented women's increasing acceptability as able leaders, she added ...