Controversial maulvi from Kerala, Umar Faizi Mukkam, has once again sparked controversy with his statements. This time, he has made derogatory remarks against Bhagwan Shiv and Mata Parvati during his speech at a public meeting in Areekode. His remarks have sparked outrage and widespread condemnation from Hindu organisations. Mukkam is a member of the prominent Sunni Muslim organisation, Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama. The event where he made the derogatory remarks was organised by the Samastha Kerala Sunni Students Federation.
During his speech, he talked about the ongoing surveys of mosques in North India and made derogatory remarks against Bhagwan Shiv and Mata Parvati. He said in Malayalam, “In North India, mosques and places of worship are being demolished one after the other. They say there was a Shiva lingam and Parvati’s vulva there, and based on this claim, mosques are being demolished. The courts are even suggesting that surveys be conducted in this regard.” He also referred to the case filed against Ajmer Dargah and claimed such incidents are escalating.
Amid the backlash, Faizi reportedly issued an apology and claimed that he did not intend to offend anyone or insult Hindu beliefs. He said, “I did not intend to demean or insult the sacred objects of Hindus. I merely referred to their names in my speech, without any malicious intent. Unfortunately, some people have twisted my words and are trying to incite communal discord by misinterpreting them on various platforms. I deeply regret if anyone’s feelings were hurt because of this. I assure you, as far as I am concerned, there was never, nor will there ever be, any intent to cause pain to my Hindu brothers and sisters.” He further claimed that he stands for religious harmony.
Despite his apology, the statement has caused significant uproar among Hindu organisations, who have accused Faizi of disrespecting the Hindu faith and culture.
Apart from Faizi, the state secretary of Samastha’s youth wing, Abdussamad Pookkottur, also apologised for the remarks. He said, “Islam strictly prohibits mocking objects worshipped by other religions. If Faizi’s remarks have hurt the sentiments of people from other faiths, we deeply regret it. Such statements are unacceptable and go against the principles of Samastha, which has always stood for religious coexistence and mutual respect.”
Earlier in January 2024, he was booked over his alleged remark “Muslim women who did not wear hijab were persons of loose morals” during a television debate. The accused Islamic scholar has been booked under sections 295A (outraging the religious sentiments) and 298 (uttering words to insult religious feelings).
Faizi allegedly made comments about women who do not wear the ‘thattam’ (headscarf worn by Muslim ladies in Kerala) during a television programme last year, sparking a major controversy in the state as a large number of women leaders and activists spoke out against it. According to the Samastha leader, women who do not wear hijab are of “questionable character”.