Reclaiming sacred spaces - Muslim Women's Struggle for Entry into Haji Ali Dargah
https://notionpress.com/read/reclaiming-sacred-spaces
This book captures the journey of Muslim women led
by BMMA to gain entry into the sanctum sanctorum of the Haji Ali Dargah. In
2012, BMMA activists could not enter the sanctum as women were barred from accessing
and offering prayers near the tomb. This was the first time in the 400 years of
the history of this dargah that someone was barred from offering prayers while
standing inside the inner room where the tomb lies. For those women living in
Mumbai and visiting Haji Ali as part of their growing up years, this
restriction came as a shock. It was not only regressive from a gender
perspective but also was indicative of more restrictions which might be imposed
in future, killing the syncretic spirit of dargahs which have been home to all,
irrespective of class, gender, religion or any other category.
The following two years were a struggle outside the
court when women tried to negotiate and sort out the issue by demanding the
restoration of the status quo through dialogue. When those initiatives failed
to give any result, then BMMA approached the Mumbai High Court.
Chapter 1 of the book outlines both, the struggle
outside the court and then the struggle within the court. It also looks closely
at the role of state and its various agencies whose primary responsibility is
to fulfil their constitutional obligation of protecting women’s rights.
Chapter 2 looks at the debate based on the Indian Constitution.
The intersectionality of Constitution, religion and women’s rights and how
Muslim women invoked the various articles of the Constitution to regain entry
into the dargah.
Chapter 3 is about Islam and women’s rights. Quran,
as the book of God has emphasized on gender equality unequivocally. It is the
Quranic values of justice, equality, kindness, wisdom and compassion which are
at the core of Islam. Patriarchal interpretations stand exposed as women
themselves begin reclaiming religion from the clutches of conservative religious
organizations.
Many annexures capture the journey and the final
message of the judiciary. Many individuals and groups came forward to support
and show solidarity which is again captured in the annexures. Media played an
important role in highlighting the issue and women’s perspective throughout.
In all, this book captures all that one needs to
know about the Muslim women’s fight for gender justice followed by a victory which
was their first foray into the religious arena. It is a book about the struggle
and triumph of Muslim women as Indian citizens, as women, as Muslims.
Nobody imagined that a democratic
struggle by ordinary Muslim women would hit patriarchy at its core and yield a
great step forward towards gender justice. The ‘Haji Ali Case’ not
only challenged the patriarchy within the Muslim community but also created
space for an alternative voice which was desperately trying to speak the
language of equality, justice and democracy. This struggle created space for an
open debate on women’s rights and religion which hitherto was confined to
certain academic circles.
Muslim women in India, led by BMMA, are
today at the forefront of reforms, especially those emanating from religion.
They have kept it simple- Muslim women will take from the Constitution, from
the Quran, from CEDAW, from UDHR and from any other document all that will
facilitate their betterment and equality. A Muslim woman is a world citizen
today and she has all the right to reach out to all quarters so that she can lead
the change not just for herself or for her community but for all humankind and
indeed for the entire world.
It is hoped that this book which
captures the struggle to reclaim sacred spaces from patriarchal forces inspires
other similar movements led by women.
