A DEBATE ON MODERN EDUCATION FOR GIRLS

                                    A DEBATE ON MODERN EDUCATION FOR GIRLS

                                                MODERN EDUCATION FOR GIRLS

The above Urdu text says:

Girls should be given modern education to the extent that they are able to write their names, addresses and read and write very important things. Apart from this sending girls to schools and colleges for higher education and getting degrees is “ Jayiz naheen hai” (not permitted) because there is more harm than advantage in it. The principle of the Quran is that the things in which there is more loss and sin should be given up. It is said in the Quran about alcohol and gambling that “wa ismuhuma akbaru min nafeehima”- i.e there is more loss than benefits in alcohol and gambling and hence Allah has made them HARAAM permanently.

The present day experience has shown us that the English education and college atmosphere have spoiled the Islamic beliefs, character and conduct and increased freedom, shamelessness and obscenity (among girls)

The founder of Aligarh Muslim University has written in clear terms ………. “ like this schools for girls were established and their outcome proved that it was invented to turn women to bad character and make them give up purdah. High English education spoils good character and damages Islamic beliefs.

Hence girls should not be given high worldly education and to make them “deendar” (pious) Islamic education should be imparted to them.

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The above Urdu extract from “Fataawa Rahimiya” has been re-produced in a book titled “Munthakhab Masaail”, part 1 which contains 160 pages and is authored by Mufti Mohammed Salahuddin sahib Qasimi with the assistance of Mufti Mohammed Misbahullah sahib Qasimi and published by Majlis-e-Jamiul Khair. It is a Special Issue of “Al-khair” – a monthly magazine for private circulation. 

The fatwa is a bundle of distortions. A boy or a girl can go astray anywhere, even in the four walls of the house if not guided properly and not necessarily in education institutions alone.

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan is a great reformer and a revolutionary in the field of education par excellence. The services he has done for the educational and economical uplift of the Muslim community can never be forgotten. To know about him and his contributions to the community and country, please see the following link:

http://vmkhaleelurrahman.blogspot.in/2012/10/birth-anniversity-of-sir-syed-ahmed-khan.html

The fatwas given by the Darul Uloom and the Nadwathul Ulama are understandable but not the one under reference.

We thought that in some remote places in our neighbouring countries girls are prevented from going to schools and colleges by Taliban. But it is not the case. Even here some people are not only writing but also speaking against giving modern education to girls.We have to hang our head in shame.

One fails to understand why the oldest  fatwa perhaps given during the British rule has been reproduced in the new book mentioned above and seeking modern education is condemned and considered “najayiz” (prohibited) It is really shocking beyond expression.

It is not known what is in store for us - a backward Muslim community – if the present trend is allowed to continue without any check. Why is it that our intellectuals are keeping quiet without questioning them? We say that we follow Quran and Hadees but we don’t ask these people why they are preventing girls from going to schools and colleges and having higher education. 

There is awakening among all sections of the people everywhere in the world. They realise that modern education is a sine qua non for progress and prosperity and also for living a life of dignity. There are many highly qualified men and women who are spreading the Islamic message which stands for equality and brotherhood of the humanity. Prophet Mohammed (sal-am) had said long ago that seeking education is compulsory for every male and female and that it should be achieved even by going to far away countries like China if it is available there. Hazrath Imam Shafi (R) had stressed the need for medical education. We all know how during the time of Prophet Mohammed (May peace be upon him) the services of educated non Muslim prisoners were sought for educating uneducated Muslim prisoners and released from prison for this great work. Islam came to eradicate ignorance and superstitions and infuse light of knowledge. It succeeded to a great extent.

I raised this issue in my blog and requested thinkers to send their comments. The response was overwhelming. I have published some comments from some important intellectuals hereunder which are self-explanatory. There is a befitting reply to the Talibanism.

I have also re-produced the fatwas of Darul Uloom, Deoband and Nadwathul Ulama,Lucknow given in response to my question on this important issue for the information of my blog viewers. 

I am happy that the above two institutions of great Islamic learning and international fame and also many intellectuals have expressed their views on this important subject and I am thankful to all of them.

V.M. Khaleelur Rahman

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                                       NADWATHUL ULAMA, LUCKNOW FATWA

The above fatwa from Nadwathul Ulama, Lucknow says that within the framework of Islam higher education like engineering and medical can be given to women in educational institutions where co-education is not in existence.

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                                                 DARUL ULOOM, DEOBAND  FATWA

From: Darul Uloom Deoband

To: vmk1234@yahoo.com
Sent: Thursday, 16 May 2013 3:45 PM
Subject: Re: 45317:English

(Fatwa: 763/602/H=1434)


If her modesty, chastity, virtue, dignity, reputation is completely secured and she maintains Shariah purdah completely and there is no other evil then it is allowable if Shariah limits are maintained; otherwise not.

Written by:

Mahmood Hasan B, Mufti, Darul Ifta, Darul Uloom Deoband

25/06/1434

Certified by:

Habibur Rahman, Mufti, Darul Ifta, Darul Uloom Deoband
Muhammad Noman Sitapuri, Assistant Mufti, Darul Ifta DUD

QUESTION:

From: vmk
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 9:56 PM
To: editor@darulifta-deoband.org
Subject: 45317:English

Short Question
Engineering & Medical education for girls

Assalamu Alaikum

Is a Muslim girl permitted to have either engineering or medical or any such modern education? I was told that Muslim girls should not have more education and that they should not be sent to schools and colleges. I will be thankful to your reply in detail.

V.M. Khaleelur Rahman
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http://islamicvoice.com/islamicvoice/every-muslim-child-needs-education-thats-my-dream/

Meher Tabassum is a Scientist working at the Division of Remote Handling and Robotics, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai,  India. She is a Government of India employee, with an official status of Class I Gazetted Officer. In an interview with TwoCircles.Net, she shares her aspirations and the importance of education for young Muslims today. “I was born in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, to a  highly educated Sunni Muslim family. Since my father was on a transferable government job, I traveled along with him to many places  all over India. At present I am residing in Anushaktinagar, a BARC residential colony in Mumbai. I am passionate about engineering,  travel, books, fashion and antiques. I hold a good collection of rare and old coins and stamps. 

My parents are my role models. I am  always grateful to my illustrious father, Mr. M. F. R Hyder, who diligently served the Geological Survey of India, as a Drilling Engineer till he retired and provided me with guidance and support all through my life. My mother Mrs. Paiker Jamal is a simple lady with exotic  knowledge of Islam, governance and general knowledge. She nurtured me with good moral values and inspired me to live a humble simple life. That makes me prefer to go on a bicycle to office and to keep my five times prayer a regular part of my life. I have an asset  of many supporting relatives and friends including my husband. My life also revolves around my small beautiful daughter Hana, who is  a very intelligent and creative girl. I attended St. Joseph Convent High School and St. Francis De Sales college, Nagpur for my 10th &  12th respectively. I received my Bachelors’ degree in the year 1995 from Nagpur University and my Masters in Electronics  Engineering from Aligarh Muslim University in the year 1998. Before joining BARC, I acquired Diplomain Nuclear Engineering from BARC training school. My first job as a lecturer was in Women’s Polytechnic, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, from April 1997-  May 1998. I taught subjects like Microprocessor and Computer to Diploma Engineering students.

Presently I work as a Scientific  Officer in Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India, since 1998. My contribution is in the research and development of various Robotics and Mechatronics systems such as Automatic Liquid Scintillation Counting System, Remote Contact Perception and Force  Reflection for Parallel Manipulator, Telepresence laboratory, Mobile Vehicle with Slave Manipulator, Parallel Manipulator, Articulated 6 DOF DC Servo Robotic System, SCARA Robot Controlled Liquid Scintillation Detection System, Moderator Heat Exchanger Inspection System Project for NPC-NAPP, Narora, India etc. focusing primarily on their control electronics, embedded systems and programming.

I am very active in sports and play badminton and table tennis, right from my school days and have won  many prizes. I held responsible positions from school to colleges taking keen interest in cultural, art and academic talent  competitions. I want to get involved in combating the new challenge of educating our young generation and establishing a think tank  to make the future generation of Indian Muslims motivated towards the pursuit of education.

I have a dream of “No Muslim child in  India to be left behind for education”. The message I wish to give our young Muslims is to consider education, not just as a means to  conquer the outer space, but also the inner space, so that we must be able to conquer the atom as well as our prejudice. We must learn  to clean the pollution of the air and also not allow pollution of our souls and heart. We need young Muslims to be educated to make this  world more secure and peaceful, to understand and communicate more intelligently, to negotiate, to agree to disagree respectfully, to resolve mutual conflicts in amicable and civilized ways, to demand justice and human rights in a democratic way and also to learn to  compromise in the interest of peace and humanity”.

(Courtesy: Islamic Voice)
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From: N. Imtiaz Ahmed
To: V. M. Khaleelur Rahman
Sent: Saturday, 25 May 2013 2:03 PM
Subject: Re: Education for women

Dear Jb. VMK Rahman - Asslamu Alaikkum.

I went thro, "Education for Women" and I would like to express and condemn the statment in Urdu . We should at the outset condemn the same and ignore it as this is handiwork of vested and narrow minded people.

Daruloom of Deoband, whose fatwas are accepted by Muslims the worldover has rightly said that "within the frame work and strictly following,adhering Shariah and Purda" Muslim women can pursue higher education. The hopy Quran emphasises the importance of education.

The narrow minded, thoughtless and baseless views expressed should be condemned. The Sarkaria Commission report has said that Muslim Community is worst than ST/SC in the field of education and employment. We should try to educate and empower Muslim boys and girls.

The Urdu statement equating alcohal and education is simply senseless. Finally I call upon each
and every Muslim to stand hand in hand condemn and reject the same.

Best regards.

N. Imtiaz Ahmed.
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From: N. Ameen ur Rahman
To: vmk
Sent: Friday, 17 May 2013 12:53 AM
Subject: Women Education

Bismillah irRahman irRaheem

Islam is the path of knowledge. No other religion has so much emphasized the importance of knowledge.
The words associated with knowledge such as pen, ink, book etc occur in 319 verses of AlQurán. The Islamic revelation started with the word 'Read / Recite' and there is a chapter named as 'Pen'. And Allah's fist gift to mankind thru Adam (as) is knowledge.

When we ponder over AlQurán, it deals with all types of science viz. sociology, biology, embryology etc. AlQurán explains the Islamic concept of knowledge as being very vAst. Acquiring of knowledge
embraces within in its folds of all of its branches both religious and secular, which are productive for mankind.

It is apparent from AlQurán and Hadith that acquiring of knowledge is obligatory for women in the same way as in the case of men. When Commandments such as Prayers, Fastings, Alms-due, Pilgrimage etc revealed even in masculine form of words, the female gender is also included. So as acquiring knowledge.

When it comes to women's education, our religious scholars get aversion.With immature and totally wrong reasoning ( ijtehad ) they simply tell us 'not permitted ( jaiz nahi )!'. Nowhere inAlQurán or in Hadith it has been mentioned that women are not permitted to acquire knowledge. Even our Prophet Mohammed (saw) had been admonished for declaring permitted-thing as not permitted (AlQurán 66:1). All knowing Allah preserved it in AlQurán even that incident was personal to the Prophet (saw) as a teaching for these scholars.

Muslim world needs scholars in all branches of science for all walks of life. Muslim world includes muslim men and muslim women in total. We need teachers, doctors, surgeons, nurses, advocates, physiotherapists, psychologists etc to serve the humanity.

One incident I feel to mention here is, recently one of my aunts who is more conservative and strict purdah-adherent under gone a total knee replacement surgery by a group of male surgeons sucessfully, and now she gets physiotherapy by a non-muslim male physiotherapist, as women professionals are rare in this field, and of course no question of a muslim woman physiotherapist!

At this juncture our religious scholars conveniently use reasoning (ijtehad) with AlQurán verses like 5:3, 6:145 etc and evolve blanket permission. Instead, they should not restrict which all knowing Allah permitted and our Prophet (saw) encourage women to seek knowledge. If they have encouraged we will have a number of muslim women professionals,and there can not be any paucity of muslim women professionals.

The problem with our religious scholars is, they never recognize secular knowledge as 'ilm', and consider only religious knowledge is 'ilm' and religious scholar is 'aalim'. Actually 'ilm' and 'aalim' are Arabic words for knowledge and scholar, thats all.

It is true in Islam it is obligatory for men to have look after their family. At any cost he can not sulk this responsibility.However Islam never restrain muslim women to get into a job and work (AlQurán 4:32). Certain fields of professions where women excel in it. But our scholars restrain muslim women to go for work.

In the Prophet's time itself women's knowledge and service have been utilized. Even one of the Rightly Guided Caliph Umar (ra) appointed Shifa bint Abdullah (ra) and Samra bint Nuhyk (ra) as Market Officers in Medina. Amra bint alRahman was a famous jurist in 8th century.

It is disheartening to note that how half baked is this scholar who equate the verse of AlQurán (2:219) which deals about intoxicants and gambling to secular education ! If that reasoning (ijtehad) were used for going out any one is more harmful than staying in home, and that scholar will declare that going out is not permitted ( jaiz nahi !) Such is the standard of our religious scholars. Such immature scholars are mostly responsible for illiteracy prevailing among muslims.

Until we had education and medical in our hand we ruled the world. Our Tunisian brave sisters Fatima and Mariam daughters of Mohammed alFihri started a madarasa in 859 AD in Fez, Morocco when they migrated there, which became an University, University of alKaraouine (Jamiatul Qarawiyyin) This is the oldest functioning university in the world! The second oldest functioning university also of ours, the famous AlAz'har University of Cairo. But where we are now?

Instead of preaching wrongly, these scholars can raise voice for exclusively women institutions and women environment working places.

--Ibn Elias Natamkar ( Aminur Rahman ), Ambur.
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From: P.R. Md. Fazlullah
To: vmk
Sent: Friday, 10 May 2013 6:06 PM
Subject: Education for women versus Islamic Law

10th May 2013

Dear Mr. Rahman,

I happened to see the views on women's higher education and islamic law. I take this opportunity to append below my views and opinion as an individual keeping in view of the present scenario of muslim community and their economic conditions and the financial insecurity.

I would like to refer to the cases in the middle class families, where we generally used to see, a single bread winner has to support four to five members of the family. In this circumstance, the salary earned by him is not sufficient to meet the present day soaring expenditures. You can very well ask a question about other male member of the family cannot share the responsility of the family. In the absence of other male member, the situation of the family warrants the women member to find a source of income to support the mounting expenses. This is how women members of the family are forced to work for a living. Thanks Allah, that most women go in purdah to their work stations. This has to be appreciated that the family gets back into a normal stream of life.

Take the case of rich muslim community, where the women even do not wear burqa and they roam in the city in cars. One cannot dare to question about this. They even go to their offices and factories every day and involve day to day affairs. The male staff of their company have to keep their eyes down while interacting with them about office affairs. Such a situation of muslim women also exist. Whom you blame ? Our islamic law or the muslim community or society ? You would have seen marriages in Chennai city where muslim women do not wear burqa, and thus showing off their jewels and dresses. Is this allowed in our religion ? Why our muslim brothern do not correct their women and educate them that this is forbidden in Islam .

Will not it hurt to a middle class woman by witnessing these showings in a gathering by rich ladies ? Will not their hearts broken by their own dresses in the same gathering ? After all the guest invites both their rich and middle class relatives to the marriages. This situation will definitely create an awareness to the middle class woman to give good education to their girl child and groom them to earn good money to get a good standard in their life. The parent always think that the sufferings and agony what they undergo should not be with their children. This sentiment alone will work in their mind to get their girl child to educate well at all costs. Moreover todays matrimony standards have also changed, the groom always prefer a well educated and earning lady as his bride in our muslim community. It has also become a compulsion to run a family and to lead a standard life, both husband and wife have to earn, this fact remains a long time in other communities, but this has now become a necessity in one's life.

I have highlighted my views and opinions above for a broader understanding of today's life pattern.

Now coming back to the contention that muslim women should not be given higher education in colleges. The author has used the word "JAIZ NAHI HAI" seems to be something alarming and explosive, In my knowledge and experience of 40 years, I have not so far come across any sayings like this. Moreover the writer has compared women's education with other forbidden things in Our religion i.e. consumption of alcohol. Here I would like to recall that our Prophet Mohammed [SAW][PBWH] had said in a hadees that for seeking education, one can travel to any far off place.

Keeping in view of my views and expressions, one may judge whether it is right or wrong in the present context of our society.

With warm Regards!

Fazal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------From: The Milli Gazette
To: V.M. Khaleelur Rahman
Sent: Sunday, 5 May 2013 9:49 PM
Subject: Re: Education of Women

Dear Khaleelur Rahman saheb,

Why Angrezi ta'leem is alright for boys but not for girls? This kind of non-opinion comes from bigoted and illiterate persons who have no sense of their religion which has ordered every Muslim, male or female, to seek knowledge from any part of the world. It is true that while imparting modern education to our sons and daughters, we must also take care to educat\e them in Islam. This should not be confined to Qur'an nazira but they should get real knowledge of their religion, its spirit and its meaning for mankind.

Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan
Editor, The Milli Gazette
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From: Dr.Mohamed Ajmal Aslam

To: V.M. Khaleelur Rahman
Sent: Tuesday, 7 May 2013 7:22 AM
Subject: Re: Education of Women

Assalamualikum VMKR Sahib..

Which book is it and who is the scholar...??

I personally donot want to criticize scholars personally since - they might be better in the sight of Allah than us.. but the example and other quoted are factually wrong... Can you pls send me which book is it and who is the scholar who wrote it?

Mohammed Ajmal
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From: Ahmed Overseas Corporation
To: V.M. Khaleelur Rahman
Sent: Monday, 6 May 2013 11:31 AM
Subject: Re: Education of Women

Dear Khaleelur Rahman sahib, Assalamu alaikum,

This material may be of pre-indepence or may be of last decade of 19th century or first decade of twentieth century, This is only an opinion or you may call it ijtehad of that time as muslims were blindly following the western thought and civilisation under the influence of British Empire when sun never set under it. Now as you see that thought and civilisation have gone sea-change. Nobody can deny that seeking knowledge was and is and willbe a religious duty on both muslim men and women according to Hadith and Quran. The difference of opinion was only in the molde of seeking knowledge and for your information or you may already know that knowledge is a knowledge. There is no bifurcation of spiritual and mundane in it.

This is a opinion formed on the basis of study and learning. One can differ from it but it should be based on reason and context not on blind following.

Vassalam !

SIRAJ AHMED K.M.

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From K. Asadullah Basha
To V.M. Khaleelur Rahman

Dear Khaleel Bahai,

Assalamu Alaikum,

Thank you for your dispatch about the 'education for women'. I don't know in which book this has appeared and who has authored it which seems to be incomplete. In that the author has compared the pros & cons of the education with that of 'wine and gambling' - In my opinion the context of the comparison itself is seems to be irrelevant.

I don't think Islam prohibits Girls/Women going in for higher education in any discipline that is Arts and Science, medicine, engineering or any other different new courses which are now available. By graduating no women will go astray or loose her faith. Don't we see a large number of Muslim women working with dignity and doing their services with all humanity with in the circle of Islamic values. For that he/she should have grown up with the teachings of basic moral values in Islamic environment.

Having said that yes as in that article has written there are chances of going astray too but for that we can not blame the higher education given to women. Also it is not necessary that one should get higher education for earning purpose only. We, particularly, the inhabitants of this region - the Vellore District, commonly see that though most of the girls become graduates but they become only house wives and for them the education helps in growing up their children in all aspects of day to day modern life and education within the limitation of Islamic values. That is what I have observed. May be I am right or wrong. Allahu Alam Bis Sawaab.

With due respect and regards,

Yours,

K. Asadullah Basha,
Editor,
Azeez Sons Publications
Publishers of: 'LEATHER LINE'-e-Paper,
LEXPORT DATA, Monthly, an Annual Journal 'LEDER INFORMANT'
E-mail: abdulazeezsons@sify.com
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From: Patel Raheem
To: V.M. Khaleelur Rahman
Sent: Tuesday, 7 May 2013 6:51 AM
Subject: Re: Education of Women

Wa alaikum salaam,

Firstly the attachment is not clear, it doesn't show who has given that fatwa.
Secondly it doesn't deserve any comment as it is contradicting the very first revelation and the popular hadees, the acquiring knowledge is obligatory upon Muslims.
Khaleel Bhai ignore such writings, this should be the work of a corrupt mind.

Ma'a salaam

S. M. Abdur Raheem Patel
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Education of Women

From: Ashraf Ali
To: V. M. Khaleelur Rahman
Sent: Monday, 6 May 2013 7:48 AM
Subject: RE: Education of Women

Wa'alaikumussalam,

I read the matter in the attachment on women education. Some points are agreeable., i.e., more education will lead to disturb Islamic family culture., mingling with boys during education and then with colleagues during work. We all know well whats the implications of this type western culture.

Educating up to degree level in a exclusive women's college no problem under supervision from parents which i presume.

Then timely marriage and family maintenance and cherishing children are more important than higher level education.

For those we don't have means to sustain, then there is no way out to work without affecting hijab and haya.

But initial education on thaqwa from childhood , like five time prayers, hijab, haya is more important before school and college education. Now a days parents need to control children both boys and girls with internet browsing social media usage like facebook , twitter etc.,

As much as possible try to avoid their privacy during its usage. Cell phones only for talk no problem, but smart phones affect their minds through their friends sharing unwanted messages.

By this they become more vulnerable to miss our religion duties even with prayers. One who miss prayer means he has gone out of Islam. Man tharakasalatha mutha ammithan faqadh kafar : Hadees, one who leaves salaath wantonly he has done kufr.

Allah may save us from this sin.

The above points are from my own perceptions out of religion knowledge - Allahu Subhanavu tha'aala knows better.

Thanks and best regards,

Wassalaam

Ashraf Ali
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Education of Women
From: Kasim Sait
To: V.M. Khaleelur Rahman
Sent: Monday, 6 May 2013 5:50 PM
Subject: Re: Education of Women

Khalil, the contents of the page enclosed are very regressive, which prohibits girls from getting higher education in colleges.Fear of their getting out of control shows the inherent patriarchal mindset of the author and has to be vehemently countered, if Muslim girls have to be encouraged to become economically independent and face the challenges of the male dominated oppression injected by tradition.

Kasim
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Education of Women
From: saleem Ahmed
To: V.M. Khaleelur Rahman
Sent: Monday, 6 May 2013 10:34 AM
Subject: RE: Education of Women

Assalamu Alaikum

MAINE TOH SUNA BHI HAI AUR PADAH BHI HAI KE ZAROORATH PADHE TOH SAMUNDAR PAAR KARE BHI ILM HAASIL KARO!!!


SOME DOUBT, THE ABOVE IS HADITH QUOTES: WHAT IS THE MEANING OF 'ILM' – IT IS JUST ABOUT DEENI TAALIM OR BOTH DEENI AUR DUNYAVI!!?

Regards
Saleem Ahmed

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From: T. Rafeeque Ahmed
To: V.M. Khaleelur Rahman
Sent: Sunday, 5 May 2013 11:16 PM
Subject: Re: Education of Women

Dear Khaleelur Rahman Sahib. , Assalaamu Alaikum ,

I do not want to comment on a narrow minded statement !

Comparing women's eduction to Sharaab and Juvva , , nonsense !

Rafeeq

Sent from my iPad

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From: Mohammad Najeeb Qasmi
To: V.M. Khaleelur Rahman
Sent: Wednesday, 8 May 2013 3:37 PM
Subject: Re: Education of Women

Assamualaikum Warahmatullah,

I don't agree with this writing.

Mohammad Najeeb Qasmi
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