New Delhi

Islamic scholar Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, who courted controversy following his remarks about the public appearance of Muslim women, has said that Shariat will continue to be proclaimed even if it is opposed.

He was speaking at the International Milad Conference held in Calicut, Kerala.

Addressing a large gathering, held under the auspices of Markaz-e-Saqafati Sunniyya to celebrated the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad, Sheikh Abu Bakr Ahmad, Kanthapuram A.P. Abubacker Musliyar said that he will continue to preach religious laws no matter who opposes him and that his previous stance will not change.

He announced to hold Shariat Conference in all districts of Kerala as part of his organisation’s centenary celebrations.

 The 95-year old Islamic leader heads the All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama and is the General Secretary of Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama

However, the recent controversy and the backlash the 95-yead old Sunni cleric received on comparing women with gold ornaments and asking them not to attend public functions along with men for it “brings devastation” looms large over the conference.

Speaking at the function, Samastha Secretary Ponmala Abdul Khader  said an attempt was being made to isolate the Grand Mufti (Sunni) and claimed global scholars and Mufti are with Kanthapuram on his stand on women.

According to Malayalam Daily Matrubhumi, SYS State General Secretary Rahmatullah Sakhafi Elamaram spoke highly of the Grand Mufti and outlined his pro-women actions. He claimed Kanthapuram has adopted more than 4,000 girls, educated them and then got them married.

He said that some are trying to portray him as a misogynist by portraying him as someone who leads women backward. However, it is clear from the hadiths that the Prophet gave great importance to women's issues and took classes for them.

He said there is a chapter in the Quran called 'Surat an-Nisa' that discusses the features of women and a chapter named after Maryam Bibi. He said that the Prophet carried out renaissance activities by giving all kinds of consideration to women in a neglected era.

Eminent Islamic scholars, Grand Muftis, university heads, and diplomats from various countries attended this global conference. Held at the Calicut Trade Center, the main objective was to spread the message of Prophet Muhammad's peaceful life and his universal teachings to the masses.

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Delegates from different continents shared their views in different sessions and discussed the Islamic heritage in detail