Woman’s Conference Held At Chennai

With more than 3500 women audience, 200 volunteers, 10 dignitaries on the dais, 4 eminent speakers, live streaming accessible to all across the globe, the first ever Islamic women’s conference held by the Jamaat e Islami Hind (JIH) (Ladies wing) in Chennai witnessed to simply be a grand success. Taking a day’s off from home routine and activities, thousands of women gathered for the sake of Allah at the conference “Ideal Muslim Woman” organized exclusively for the ladies of the city. The conference aimed at enlightening rich Islamic teachings towards woman to understand and fulfill their duties towards Allah. The conference’s main focus, as the theme suggests, revolved on the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah in evolving an Ideal Muslim Woman.

The conference commenced by the recitation of the holy Quran with the translation. The President of the Jamaat e Islami Hind, Shabbir Ahmed began with the inaugural speech, he emphasized on the responsibility of every muslim ummah to establish Islamic way of life and this should be done collectively so that one can face the national and international problems with the guidance of Allah. He informed the people about the policy and all the activities of jamat e Islami hind.

The convener of the conference, Sister Fathima Jalal explained the motive of the conference and some guidelines for the day and also informed about the activities of the JIH ladies wing in the city. The audience was enlightened by various topics by eminent speakers. Sister Asma Bi ladies wing organizer of Coimbatore delivered a speech with practical examples on the theme ‘Ideal Muslim Woman,’ she emphasized on the duties of a Muslim woman both individually in a family and in the society. Dr K V S Habib Mohammed, Vice President of Islamic foundation Trust, inspired the audience by his thought provoking speech calling the muslim women, as said in the Quran, ‘O Believers, become helpers of Allah’. In his speech he sketched out clearly the different status and responsibilities of a Muslim as Abdullah one who worships and obeys Allah, Khalifatullah the vicegerent of Allah, Waliullah one who is loved by Allah and Ansarullah helpers of Allah. He said, ‘You must always strive to attain the higher level in deen and also specified freedom is the root cause of all evils, so we cannot take full freedom as Allah’s vicegerent. Today, people treat religion like a shopping kart experience. They read about the religion and pick what they would like to follow and leave what they consider difficult and unlikely to them.”

Writer and Translator, Maulavi Nuh Mahlari’s speech on Hijab was indeed a very informative one and an eye opener. Addressing the most important issue of time, he said, “Like how the eye lid protects the eye, Hijab protects a muslim woman and it is on the basis of her belief which it is a command from Allah, Hijab in islam does not stop only with the dress worn physically but taqwa is the best dress, a woman should not think that she can do anything if she wears Hijab but should be conscious of Allah of whatever she does. and it means Hijab is for one’s eyes, ears, tongue and heart.” Further he quoted real life incidents of woman companions from the Islamic history.

State Organiser of ladies Wing JIH, Sister Ummatul Waheed Fakhira delivered an Urdu speech on the role of Muslim women in the reconstruction of the society. It is the duty of every Muslim woman to implement Islam and give the valuable treasure of Islam to the society. She quoted ‘As a muslim woman we should know who we are what is our purpose of life, our responsibilities, what does my lord want from me and what will be my status in the Hereafter’.

The morning session wrapped up with a book release “Hijab” by Maulavi Nuh Mahlari.

The afternoon session commenced with a cultural programme, an Islamic drama performed by the students of Girls Islamic organisation (GIO). Following which a symposium was conducted on ‘Threats faced at homes and solutions’, with three speakers, Jareena yousuf, Hamida, Sajida and moderator Sister A Khadija, Assistant organizer JIH ladies wing Each sister addressing different threats such as television and cinema, mobile and internet, and safety of women. They focused on the present situation faced at homes and the innumerable problems associated with it. The side effects of these threats on children, the youth and also the women and how they deviate from the right path without the knowledge of the true teachings of Islam. Moderator A Khadija concluded the symposium by saying, “No matter how much technology may advance with time, if one has Taqwa in their hearts no act can go wrong. It is necessary for parents to bring up their child in an Islamic manner and supervise on their usage of technology.”

An essay competition was held for higher secondary school and college girls prior to the conference, on either of the topics – the status of women in Islam or Muslim women in the reconstruction of the society – Awards for the winners were distributed.

On behalf of the JIH Ladies Wing, few resolutions were taken. The resolutions taken were:
As the concluding speech, General Secretary of JIH, Maulavi Haneefa Manbaee stressed on the importance of life after death and how to strive for the Hereafter. Receiving numerous positive responses from the public, Farah Sulthana, an audience said “I came with an intention to leave by noon but the conference was extremely informative and interesting with speakers giving examples from real life. I finally attended the entire program and I was very much satisfied and there was not a slight distraction. The information I gained from this one day was immeasurable.”

The resolutions taken in the Women’s Conference of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Ladies Wing held on 13 Feb 2013

1. Death sentence should be enacted for severe crimes like sexual violence. Recommendations of the Verma panel should be considered immediately punishment must be carried out in public so that the crime will not be repeated.

2. The print and electronic media should restrain from showing vulgarity in advertisements and entertainments programmes, it should be stopped and announced as crime.

3. Films showing obscenity and violence and scenes which hurt the sentiments of religion should be stopped. People who are conscious of the welfare of the public should   be appointed in the film censor board and acted upon without any political interference.

4. Sex ratio has been declining profusely. Government should apply strict laws to stop female infanticide and for the safety of women.

5. Alcohol is the root cause of all kinds of evils and crimes specially violence against women. Hence it should be banned nationwide and Tasmac shops should be closed.

6. Descent dress code for girls should be brought forth by the educational institutions.

7. Moral studies classes should be made compulsory in the school syllabus and rules regarding good behaviour should be made strict. Guidance from the religious scholars can be taken in this matter.

8. Marriage should be made easy and in the appropriate time. All kinds of dowry should be eliminated.

9. All kinds of sex relationship other than marital relationship should be declared as unlawful and punishable crime.

10. Muslim marriages are being registered in the mosques appropriately, hence the government should recognize as legal registration.