Shocking Details: Muslim Education Society Chief receives death threat

The President of a Muslim Educational Group in Kerala, which recently barred its students from covering their faces with veil on campuses, has received death threat.

According to Indian Express, P A Fazal Gafoor, president of Muslim Educational Society (MES), lodged a complaint alleging that an unidentified caller had threatened him with dire consequences if he did not withdraw the circular asking students not to attend classes wearing face-covering attire. According to his complaint, the caller used threatening and demeaning words against Gafoor.

Ever since the decision for banning students to cover their face was made, it has attracted criticism from the Samastha Kerala Jamiyathul Ulema, the religious organisation of Sunni Muslim scholars and clerics, media reports further added.

Further clarifying his stand, Gafoor had stated that the circular on the move was issued on April 17 and had nothing to do with Sri Lanka’s ban on face veils this week following the April 21 blasts.

Indian Express report adds that, Muslim Education Society is a communitarian organisation that claims the legacy of the reformist tradition among Kerala Muslims. It has little sway over theological debates, shaped by Sunni groups who control mosques and madrasas. The MES has held the veil to be a foreign import, but the rejection is likely to be challenged by the clergy.