The Telangana High Court has affirmed the right of Muslim women to offer prayers at mosques, overturning a previous decision that restricted their access. The court’s ruling came from a two-judge bench led by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J. Sreenivas Rao.
The case originated when the Anjuman E Alavi Shia Imamia Ithna Ashari Akbari challenged the Mutawalli Committee of Ibadat Khana E Hussaini’s decision to bar women from entering the mosque. Initially, a single-judge bench had ruled in favor of allowing women from the Akbari sect to access the mosque. This decision was contested by the Mutawalli Committee, leading to the current appeal.
In its judgment, the High Court not only upheld the right of women to pray at the mosque but also instructed the mosque authorities to implement necessary accommodations, including setting up a designated prayer area for women. The court’s ruling focused on the legal right to access rather than religious interpretations, emphasizing that while women can participate in prayers, they are not allowed to lead them within the mosque.
This decision marks a significant step in affirming gender equality within religious practices, ensuring that Muslim women have the opportunity to engage fully in their spiritual duties.
