Muslim groups support SC observation on burqa

New Delhi, Jan 23 (PTI) A number of Muslim groups
Saturday backed the Supreme Court of India's rejection of the
argument that women cannot be asked to lift face-covering
veils for voter ID photographs, and said Islamic law gives
permission for them to be clicked under special needs.
"I am totally with the Supreme Court order. When we have
no objection to photos for passport for going to Haj, why
should we object to the same for this. This should not be made
an emotional issue," Delhi Minority Commission Chairman and
All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Kamal Faruqui said.
When it was pointed out that some Muslim clerics are
opposing the observation, Faruqui said he will convince the
community about the need for photo voter IDs adding, "I am
sure they will understand the importance of having them."
The Supreme Court Friday said religious sentiments should
not be exploited to oppose the making of electoral rolls with
photographs. It was hearing a petition which argued that
asking women observing 'purdah' to lift their veil for being
photographed for voter IDs would be sacrilegious.
"Though purdah is compulsory for women under the Shariat,
Islamic law gives conditional permission under special
circumstances," senior member of the All India Muslim Personal
law board and Naib Imam of Idgah, Lucknow, Khalid Rasheed
Forangimahal told PTI.
Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind secretary and spokesperson Abdul
Hamid Nomani also said Islam allows Muslim women to show their
face if there is specific need. (More) PTI