At a time when we as an organization are working towards empowerment of women, in various spheres ranging from political to social media, here comes a news item which makes us want to cringe.
The Darul Uloom Deoband in Uttar Pradesh, the largest seminary in India, issued a bizarre fatwa over the weekend, which bans women from plucking, trimming, shaping their eyebrows and cutting hair. In a statement issued to the media, Maulana Kazmi of Darul Uloom Deoband said “Darul Uloom should have given this fatwa long ago. Women are now prohibited to go into beauty parlours, and getting a haircut in a parlour is prohibited for women. Beard for men is important and in the same way hairs are important for women. Shaving the beard is prohibited for men, in the same way cutting the hair is prohibited for women. We respect the fatwa of Darul Uloom.”
While women are being subjected to all forms of violence every single day in this country, it is no short of appalling that religious institutions are focusing on superficial matters, and still trying to curb the freedom and liberty of women. It is a sad state of affairs that those in influential positions ignore the real issues plaguing society, and instead are focusing and passing laws regarding absolutely inconsequential issues.
We must as a society stand up to these ridiculous statements and fatwas, and urge those with power and influence to effect real change, rather than divert their attention on frivolous matters.
