On 26th January, 34 year old Jamida K made history, when she became the first woman to lead the Jumma (Friday) prayers in India. Jamida led 50 men and women at Wandoor Cherukod in Kerala’s Malappuram district on Friday, to break the glass ceiling. Apart from leading the Namaz, she also delivered a Qutuba (sermon), which earlier was nearly impossible. This 20 minutes sermon of hers dealt with gender justice.
But her breaking the stereotypes has resulted in her facing the wrath of the radicals, who apart from opposing her actions have also started to threaten her.
On the day of her sermon itself, a small crowd decided to assemble at the Central Committee office of the Quran Sunnat Society (QSS), where she was present. The crowd as per Jamida was left shocked by her actions. Though, they refrained from getting violent due to a media presence.
Since then she started to receive phone calls from mosque committees who allege that she has defied Islam. People even started to write on social media about how she is trying to destroy Islam.
The opposition though has kept getting more intense, with her now allegedly getting serious threats.
As alleged by her, she is now flooded with threats like getting burnt or skinned alive. Apart from getting threat calls, she is also being targeted on her social media accounts. She has also claimed that a few days back, a couple of people barged into her house in Kozhikkode and tried to manhandle her.
Considering the onslaught, Jamida has now asked that she be provided police protection.
Apart from being a trailblazer when it comes to women’s involvement in the Islamic clergy, Jamida is also striving to emancipate Muslim women from the social ill of triple talaq.
As reported, Jamida has despite all odds vowed to continue her struggle against triple talaq and bring Muslim women into the mainstream. Apart from this, she has also supported the father of Hadiya, who it was alleged, was a victim of Love Jihad.
Considering the severity of the threats faced by Jamida, it remains to be seen if the state government provides her adequate security required to keep her safe.
