'Are there no men left?': Muslim cleric on women contesting Gujarat elections

A Muslim cleric has sparked a controversy with comments on women contesting the Gujarat Assembly elections.

The Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid in Ahmedabad objected to women being given election tickets, saying that Islam doesn't even allow them to visit mosques as they can't appear in public.

Shabbir Ahmed Siddiqui said that giving tickets to women is rebellion against Islam. "Are there no men left that women are being brought in? This will weaken our religion," he said.

Citing the recent hijab controversy is Karnataka education institutes, he said, "If you make women MLA, councillor etc, then we will not be able to keep (practice of wearing) hijab safe."

Siddiqui explained that those opposed to the hijab will say that the headscarf is not needed since women are sitting in Assembly.

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