Mumbai’s iconic Haji Ali shrine, immortalised in several Bollywood films, and many other city dargahs have decided to strictly enforce a ban on the entry of women into their sanctum sanctorum on the ground that the Shariah prohibits women from going to cemeteries or graves. This became controversial as some Muslim women activists were refused entry to a dargah.
Several liberal Muslims, theologians and jurists have condemned this ban, calling it the work of fanatical sects that wanted to deny Muslim women the same rights as men.
Suhail Khandwani, a trustee of Haji Ali and Mahim’s Makhdoom Shah Baba dargah, said women were allowed into the dargah, and read prayers, do namaz and offer shawls and flowers; but couldn’t enter the inner sanctum.
The Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan has vociferously objected, warning it will take legal action against the dargah managements for misinterpreting Shariah.
Bombay high court lawyer Nusrat Shah said this was the work of the Wahabis, which regarded women as slaves.