Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Malaysia PM Challenges Cleric’s Views on Women’s Rights
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is planning to meet Kerala religious leader Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliar.
Kanthapuram recently made comments saying women should stay at home and not appear publicly.
Ibrahim said he respects Kanthapuram as a religious scholar but does not agree with all his opinions.
He said Malaysia supports equal rights for women.
Ibrahim also pointed out that Kanthapuram’s institutions include a nursing college.
Women who study nursing may work in hospitals, he said.
Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan criticized the cleric’s comments as old-fashioned.
Kanthapuram later said that he and his supporters do not believe women should be confined to their homes.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he does not agree with all the views of Kerala cleric Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliar.
Ibrahim said he would tell the cleric that Malaysia guarantees women equal rights during their planned meeting in Kozhikode.
Kanthapuram recently said the Quran requires women to remain confined to their homes and avoid public appearances.
Ibrahim noted that institutions linked to Kanthapuram include a nursing college whose female students could work in hospitals.
Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan called Kanthapuram’s position outdated and a misreading of Islam, while Kanthapuram later denied supporting confinement for women.
- Who
- Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Kerala-based Islamic cleric Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliar are central to the story; Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan also criticized the cleric’s remarks.
- What
- Ibrahim said he disagrees with Kanthapuram’s views on women’s public roles and will affirm Malaysia’s commitment to equal rights during their planned meeting.
- When
- Ibrahim made the comments one day before his scheduled meeting with Kanthapuram; Kanthapuram’s remarks were made at an Islamic conference the previous month.
- Where
- The planned meeting is in Kozhikode, Kerala; Ibrahim discussed the issue in an interview on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
- Why
- The meeting comes after Kanthapuram said women should remain confined to their homes and avoid public appearances, comments criticized by Satheesan.
Support for Women’s Public Participation
Traditional Interpretation of Women’s Roles
Women’s rights and education
Support for Women’s Public Participation
Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia guarantees women equal rights and that women should have freedom and opportunities to study and work.
Traditional Interpretation of Women’s Roles
Kanthapuram’s reported remarks said women should remain confined to their homes and should not make public appearances.
Interpretation of Islamic teachings
Support for Women’s Public Participation
VD Satheesan described Kanthapuram’s position as outdated and a misreading of Islam; Ibrahim said he respects the scholar but does not share all his views.
Traditional Interpretation of Women’s Roles
Kanthapuram presented his position as based on the Quran and Islamic requirements concerning purdah, although he later said he and those with him do not believe women should be confined.
- Malaysian prime minister
- Anwar Ibrahim
- Religious scholar
- Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliar
- Planned meeting location
- Kozhikode, Kerala
- Ibrahim’s stated position
- Malaysia guarantees women equal rights
- Contested remarks
- Kanthapuram said women should remain confined within their homes and avoid public appearances
- Kerala response
- Chief Minister VD Satheesan called the position 19th-century thinking and a misreading of Islam
- Related institution
- Kanthapuram runs or is associated with institutions including a nursing college