Yes, it is increasingly evident in the present dispensation, which pursues the policy of divide and rule and shows fascistic dimensions by demonising the Muslims and misrepresenting Islamic laws and teachings.
Now the followers of destructive policies are posing themselves as the champions of the rights of Muslim women. These are the same people under whose shadows the shelter homes of destitute teenage girls have been turned into rape centres. Recent events in Muzaffarpur, Deoria and other places bear witness to this. Muslims as a Millat must join hands with all well-wishers of the country to fight these destructive trends.
This fight has another dimension which requires our utmost attention. We the Muslims, the inheritors of Islam, must follow it sincerely with single-minded devotion. Our collective life must demonstrate the efficacy of Islamic social values.
The Muslim society must analyse how far it has empowered its women to stand up to the challenges. They should be equipped to tell their so-called sympathisers what their rights and duties as believing women and members of Ummah are. Empowering Muslim women is the best strategy to counter the moves of zealots who never miss any opportunity to denigrate Islam and defame Muslims. This would be the best response to the people who indulge in violence to subdue the Muslims, Dalits and other marginalised sections.
Radiance is pleased to bring out this special issue with articles on some important aspects of the situation. It is significant that four out of five articles on the central theme of this issue have been penned by our sisters who understand full well the seriousness of the situation. It is encouraging that ladies are coming forward as equal partners in the struggle to vindicate their position. Let us remember that, “Surely the men who submit (to Allah) and the women who submit (to Allah), the men who have faith and the women who have faith, the men who are obedient and the women who are obedient, the men who are truthful and the women who are truthful, the men who are steadfast and the women who are steadfast, the men who humble themselves (to Allah) and the women who humble themselves (to Allah), the men who give alms and the women who give alms, the men who fast and the women who fast, the men who guard their chastity and the women who guard their chastity, the men who remember Allah much and the women who remember Allah much: for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and a mighty reward.” (33: 35)