Kerala: First Muslim woman imam leads Friday prayers, faces backlash

Jamida, the 34-year-old state secretary of the Quran Sunnath Society, has become the first female imam in India`s history to lead the Juma prayers.

Malappuram (Kerala): For the first time, a Muslim woman led the Friday Juma prayers at a mosque in Malappuram. Jamida, the 34-year-old state secretary of the Quran Sunnath Society, became the first woman imam in Indian history.

“There is no such rule in the Shariat that only men can be imam,” said Jamida.

It is for the first time in the country that a Muslim woman conducted and led the Friday afternoon special prayer session at a mosque in Kerala`s Malappuram district.

All across India, men lead the Friday prayers.

Jumah is facing a lot of backlash because of this action. Accused of defying Islam, several fundamentalists threatened to attack her.

Following threats on her life over the phone, Jamida was given a security cover.