Former Vanitha League national general secretary Noorbeena Rasheed has taken an indirect swipe at the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leadership over its silence on the controversy involving Islamic scholar Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar.
In a Facebook post, Ms. Rasheed said a political movement working for the rights and progress of the Muslim community should have clear and consistent positions on issues concerning society. She said its leadership should not remain silent or send unclear messages, especially to the younger generation.
A directive by Mr. Kanthapuram during the recent Milad celebrations restricting women from appearing in public spaces triggered a wave of protests from different quarters. The directive was widely alleged to be anti-women.
Referring to the tacit support the IUML gave to Mr. Kanthapuram, Ms. Rasheed said: “A movement needs clarity, consistency, and credibility in its ideas and positions. The younger generation needed a clear sense of direction rather than confusion.”
Ms. Rasheed also recalled the efforts she made in the 1990s to bring Muslim women into public life and politics. She said women had been encouraged to uphold their values, assert their views, and take part in social progress.
Ms. Rasheed resigned as national general secretary of the Vanitha League after she was denied a ticket in the Assembly elections in April. She was reportedly unhappy with the party’s decision to field young student leader Fathima Thahiliya.
Published – September 03, 2026 11:30 pm IST
