In a controversial move, the management of the iconic Sufi shrine Haji Ali Dargah on Tuesday banned the entry of women in the sanctum sanctorum that houses the tomb of 15th century Sufi saint Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. The Tomb is located off the Mumbai coast.
According to the reports, the trustees of the Haji Ali Dargah has restricted the entry of the women devotees citing the Sharia Laws. However, the trust has allowed women to roam freely within the dargah's compound.
"Women can offer namaaz and offer shawls and flowers. They can even roam freely within the dargah complex. But their entry into the sanctum sanctorum is strictly prohibited,” Rizwan Merchant, a trustee and noted criminal lawyer said.
He further added, “The decision was taken six months ago and at that time too it had sparked criticism but after bringing certain changes into it we have finally decided to enforce it now.”
"The Sharia law claims that no woman can visit a cemetery or a grave," said Suhail Khandwani, the trustee of the Haji Ali dargah and managing trustee of Mahim's Makhdoom Shah Baba's dargah.
"We allow women in dargah sharif but not at the astana (sanctum sanctorum where a saint is buried)" Khandwani said.
"Most of the women, almost 80 per cent of them, agree with the decision (to impose curbs)," he claimed.
"We allow women in dargah sharif but not at the astana (sanctum sanctorum where a saint is buried)" Khandwani said.
"Most of the women, almost 80 per cent of them, agree with the decision (to impose curbs)," he claimed.
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