Muslim woman jumps in fray despite ‘fatwa’
Imphal, Feb. 22: Despite a fatwa being issued against her for contesting election, Manipur’s first Muslim woman candidate Najima Bibi said she wants to continue her fight against domestic violence and work to uplift Muslim women’s plight.
“I am not bothered about my life, but as long as I live I will continue my fight against domestic violence and in favour of social upliftment of Muslim women in the society. My life has been a struggle since childhood, I am not afraid of any threats,” Najima Bibi said. Ms Najima is a candidate of Irom Sharmila’s PRJA, and is contesting from Wabgai constituency.
Ms Najima said she was attracted by Ms Sharmila’s 16-year-long fast against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, and when she formed a political outfit, she decided to join her. “Irom’s fight has always fascinated and inspired me. Her relentless fight against all odds is an example of how strong a Manipuri woman can be. So when she decided to join politics I decided to stand shoulder to shoulder with her.”
“If I become an MLA, I have policies and vision for education, women’s issues, against AFSPA, for small-scale employment generation and so many other things,” Ms Najima said.
Her decision to join politics attracted a fatwa in her home constituency, with religious leaders in Santhel Mamang Leikai publicly saying that she will be given no “kabar” or burial ground after her death. People in her village are even discouraged to talk to her.
“What I do in my lifetime is important. What will I do by knowing what is being done to me after my death?” she said.
“When I used to travel on cycle to meetings, people used to make fun of me. So when they made fun of me, I instead got encouraged. There is something special in what I am doing, which they can’t handle, that is why they are making fun of me,” she added.