Will not be cowed down by death threats: India's first woman Imam
January 30, 2018 09:52
A woman facing death threats for leading the Friday prayers last week says she will not be cowed down by the intimidation and will continue to lead the 'Jumu'ah' congregation.
Jamitha, 34, general secretary of the Quran Sunnat Society, had conducted the Jumu'ah, the Muslim Friday prayer service, at the Society's office in Malappuram district's Wandoor village last Friday.
Jumu'ah prayers, held every Friday, are usually led by men.
"Comments and threats have been posted on social media saying I should not be allowed to live... that I should be burnt alive as I am destroying Islam," Jamitha told PTI.
The woman, who broke gender stereotypes when she led the prayers, said she had been receiving death threats on WhatsApp, Facebook and YouTube but was not afraid.
She said she would not be cowed down by the threats and would continue to lead the prayers.
"Those who are attacking me through social media are cowards," she said, adding that she had not filed a police complaint.
Popularly known as 'Jamitha teacher' in the area, she said the Quran does not discriminate between men and women and Islam doesn't stop women from becoming imams.
About 80 people, including women, had attended the prayers, led by the woman 'Imam', Society sources had said. -- PTI
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