Tripti Nath/ Lucknow

Indian Muslim women may not have come out on the streets in protest against the brutal killing of Mahsa Amini but they definitely empathise with what women are going through in Iran.

Mahsa Amini, the 22 year-old Iranian woman has become a martyr for the freedom of Iranian women. Liberal opinion emerging from many quarters in Lucknow is in favour of exemplary punishment against those responsible for her death.

Outside the Shia P.G college in Khadra, two Sunni sisters, Insha Khan, 18 and Unzila Khan, 17, condemned the circumstances leading to Mahsa Amini’s demise. “What happened in Iran is clearly wrong. In Islam, it is not binding on women to wear Hijab,’’ they said.

Although both sisters pursuing professional courses in Aliganj, wear Hijab, they said that the Iran incident should have triggered anti-Hijab protests in Lucknow too. “This matter will be suppressed,’’ they said.

According to religious leaders, Muslims comprise 24 percent of the total population of Lucknow. Of these, 40 per cent are Shias who have religious affinity with Iran.

Men from the Shia community measured their words while speaking about developments in Iran to Awaz-the Voice. Although they did not criticize the Iranian government, they described the incident as unfortunate and called for punishment to policemen responsible Amini's killing. Most of them believe that the anti-hijab movement is "propaganda against Iran."

Syed Abbas Murtaza Shamsi, manager of Shia P.G. College in Khadra, who has been associated with activities of the Shia community for many years, termed the incident leading to Mahsa Amini's death as “criminal and very unfortunate.'' He said, “I would urge the Iranian government to probe this incident thoroughly because it is bringing a bad name to Islam and to the Shia community.’’

Syed Abbas who has been associated with Shia college since 2014, said, “We cannot judge anybody on the basis of news reports. Laws are made in the interest of people.’’ However he believes that the Iranian government was not responsible for Amini's death. “In my opinion, only the person who inflicted brutality upon her is responsible. And anybody who is found responsible should be given exemplary punishment.’’

Syed Abbas said that Islam propagates love for humankind “Only a person who understands humanity can be called a Shia. Wearing Hijab should be natural. In any civilized society, a person should be adequately covered.’’

We also spoke to Maulana Yasoob Abbas, General Secretary and Spokesperson of All India Shia Personal Law Board who is on the Board of Trustees, Shia College. He has visited Iran many times. Asked why there were no protests in Lucknow of the kind witnessed in over 150 cities around the world, he said, “Why should a protest take place? The masses have become smart, wise and discerning. They can see through conspiracies. This is a conspiracy by Israel and the United States to defame Iran. Those who believe in monarchy are not liking Islamic Iran and want a pre-1979 Iran.’’

Maulana defended the mandatory rule of Hijab in Iran. ‘’There is a tradition of ‘purdah’ in many religious sects- even among Sikhs. I know families in India where women have never seen the face of their brothers-in-law.’’

Maulan's elder brother Maulana Ejaz Athar, Vice President of the All-India Shia Personal Law Board, said that the Islamic law dates back 1,400 years and will not change till eternity. “Our laws are set in stone.’’ 

Athar, who is Assistant Professor in Persian Language in Shia P.G. College, said, “Islam aurat ko bahut izzat ki nazar se dekhta hai (Islam gives a lot of respect to women). He added that Islam treats women like a diamond. “Hijab is about protecting women. The idea of having women wear Hijab is to protect them. Hijab is therefore compulsory.’’

ALSO READ: Collector Akhtar Hameed Khan who became labourer

On Mahsa Amini's death, Maulana Athar said, “Islam clearly says that anybody who kills a person actually finishes the entire humankind.’’