Here is another ‘fatwa’ issued by Darul Uloom Deoband that is against the system of co-education in Muslim society. The fatwa says that teenage girls cannot go to co-educational institutions.
Earlier, an Aligarh resident had asked Darul Uloom Deoband to clarify the provisions in Islam for co-education in Muslim society. In the reaction of the question, Darul Ifta issued fatwa on July 1 by stating that the system of co-education is unlawful as it causes evil in the society.
According to the reports, the resident of Aligarh had asked “Can girls attend co-educational institutions after they attain puberty?” Darul Uloom responded in statement that Muslim women must not interact with the opposite sex without hijab.
The office of vice-chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband Maulana Magroobur Rehman stated that the institute stands by what is said in any fatwa issued from here.
Another cleric Mufti Ehsan Qazmi also supported the fatwa by saying that Islam does not allow any communication and relations among boys and girls who have attained puberty, without hijab.
On the other hand, Naib Imam of Eidgah Aishbagh and member of All-India Muslim Personal Law Board Maulana Khalid Rashid have taken different stand from Darul Uloom’s stand.
According to them, the separate education system for Muslims boys and girls in India is not a good concept. Imam said further that before issuing such fatwas, those organizations should arrange separate colleges for Muslim girls and boys in the society.
Some other Shia clerics have another viewpoint in this matter. One of the Shia clerics, Maulana Kalbe Jawwad, told media that the religion does not allow co-ed institutions.
At the same time, as there are no such separate institutes for boys and girls at senior levels, there should be a proper purdah system in the schools and colleges. Girls should maintain the purdah while going to educational institutions.
