Islam Does not Mandate Covering of Face: Syed Shahabuddin

New Delhi: : Islam Does not Mandate Covering of Face: Syed Shahabuddin. Syed Shahabuddin, President of All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat has issued the following statement.

"The All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM) deplores the unnecessary and avoidable controversy over the requirement of facial photographs to establish the identity of Muslim female electors.

The AIMMM notes, on one hand, that a facial photograph is a universal requirement of all identity documents including the Special Haj Passports.

According to religious authorities the Islamic purdah does not mandate the face to be covered by veil or burqa. Indeed, the customary burga is specific to the subcontinent and is not universal because in many places Muslim women do not wear it, particularly those who work. In many Muslim countries women do not cover their face even in public places.

However, the AIMMM objects to the observation of the Hon’ble Supreme Court that such Muslim woman who are reluctant to obtain prescribed identity cards need not vote and feels that a procedural requirement cannot erode or abolish a substantive right.

The AIMMM considers that the Hon’ble Supreme Court should have seriously examined the plea of a conscientious objector in the light of the Islamic principles and practices in the Muslim world and then either reject the plea or instruct the Election Authorities to work out an alternative mode to ensure that such women who do not possess prescribed identity card and are genuine voters are able to exercise their right to vote."