Women to offer Eid 'namaz' for first time in Eidgah

Lucknow, Jul 6: Amid raging debate over entry of women at religious places, city's famous Eidgah in Aishbagh has for the first time made special arrangements for women allowing them to offer 'namaz' in the premises on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr tomorrow.

"Separate arrangements have been made for the first time when women can offer Eid namaz in Eidgah," Imam of Aishbagh Eidgah Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali told PTI today.

He said a large number of women would offer namaz along with men in separate enclosures. The Maulana said though gates of Eidgah were not closed for women but earlier separate arrangements were not made for them.

"This time, due to special arrangements, a large number of women will be able to offer namaz at Eidgah," he said.

The decision has come at a time when there is a debate over entry of women at religious places in the country.

A century-old ban on entry of women at Shani Singhanapur in Maharashtra was lifted and they were given permission in April.

Though there is no ban on entry of women at 'mazars' (mausoleum), they are not seen offering namaz at mosque or Eidgah very often.

The decision taken by Aishbagh Eidgah could be termed as a progressive move, the Maulana said. The Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) had recently petitioned the Bombay High Court challenging the ban that restricts women visiting Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai.

PTI