Latest news with #KeralaNadvathulMujahideen
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Zumba row: Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen strikes a different note
KOZHIKODE: Differences of opinion have emerged within Muslim organisations over the ongoing controversy surrounding zumba sessions in schools, with Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen (KNM) state president T P Abdulla Koya Madani striking a different note. In a veiled reference to the remarks by some leaders of feeder organisations of the Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama and Wisdom Islamic Organisation (WIO), Madani said religious scholars should have shown more maturity before making public statements. He said the scholars should refrain from making statements that create divisions in society. 'Those who spark communalism should understand they won't be able to contain it. Instead of resolving real issues plaguing Kerala's public and higher education sectors, they are indulging in controversies that distract (people) from basic concerns,' Madani said after inaugurating the KNM state workers' convention in Kozhikode on Sunday. He said: 'There should be no attempts to create sectarian divide among children in public schools under the pretext of the zumba controversy. Religious leaders must show greater maturity and avoid the approach that sow divisions in society.' WIO general secretary T K Ashraf ignited the controversy by opposing the introduction of zumba in schools.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala govt. firm on Zumba in schools, seeks an end to controversy
The Kerala government dug in its heels on Sunday regarding its decision to introduce Zumba sessions in government schools, despite criticism from certain Muslim social organisations and clerics who argued that the aerobic fitness dance format was patently against Islamic precepts. However, the administration also cautioned society against allowing the controversy to escalate into an alienating culture war. Several Muslim organisations sought to moderate the controversy in larger civic interest. For one, the Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama (EK faction) leader Nasar Faisi Kudathai welcomed Mr. Sivankutty's statement. Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen (KNM) State president T.P. Abdulla Koya Madani urged clerics to refrain from making divisive statements. Meanwhile, General Education Minister V. Sivankutty messaged the government resolve to introduce Zumba in schools. He stood by in solidarity as Zumba fans turned out in strength in front of the Secretariat to showcase the popular exercise format. Instructors guided the adults and children, including families, as they gyrated and gambolled to upbeat music. Against divisiveness He urged society to put an end to the divisive controversy. He said the extreme right fringe, irrespective of their religious hues, sought to inject communalism and divisiveness into the younger generation by attempting to arbitrate on uniform codes, holidays, class hours, and examination timings. 'Such schismatic ruses will not pass muster in secular and progressive Kerala. Students are free to choose not to attend Zumba classes. Attendance is not linked to marks or evaluation of academic performance,' he said. How the dispute began The dispute erupted after the Wisdom Islamic Organisation and the Sunni Yuvajana Sangham (SYS), including some ultra-conservative Islamist clerics, opposed the government's move. Some clerics equated Zumba to 'lewd and skimpily clad DJ party dancing' on social media. They ruled that the exercise format violated the lifestyle regulations codified in Islamic law and undermined family and religious values. The Muslim Students Federation (MSF) requested that the government provide evidence that Zumba could prevent drug and alcohol abuse before making the fitness dance form mandatory in schools. However, the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP), a prominent social organisation for Hindu backwards classes, backed the government's move. SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan told reporters in Alappuzha: 'Those opposing Zumba should step back. If someone says there is an attempt to turn Kerala into a religious State, they would not be entirely wrong.' The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) urged the government not to bow to the whims and fancies of Islamist groups as part of the Left Democratic Front's (LDF) 'appeasement politics'. However, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader V. Muraleedharan questioned the wisdom of introducing an exercise format 'alien to India and its culture' into the State school curriculum. The Youth Congress, Students' Federation of India (SFI), and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) denounced the move to impose religious considerations on sports and art forms.
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Markazu Dahwa takes out family rally against drugs
Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen (KNM) Markazu Dahwa took out a mass family rally against drugs from Edavanna to Manjeri in the district on Saturday. Hundreds of women and children took part in the rally ignoring torrential rain. The rally was held as part of a larger campaign titled 'Nalla Keralam' by Markazu Dahwa and its subsidiaries. The rally raising the slogan 'anarchy must be corrected and intoxication must be eradicated' was given receptions at several places between Edavanna and Manjeri. The rally called upon the people to wage a battle against intoxicants, liberalism and terrorism. P.K. Basheer, MLA, inaugurated the rally. KNM district secretary K. Abdul Azeez presided over the function. Madya Nirodhana Samiti State president Iyyachery Kunhikrishnan, rally captain K.M. Husain, Edavanna panchayat president P. Abhilash, Shakir Babu Kuniyil and Fatima Manjeri spoke.
