The Sunni Mahallu Federation (SMF), an affiliate of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, has urged critics of religious scholars to stop interfering in religious matters in the name of women’s freedom and liberalism.

At a State council meeting at Chemmad on Wednesday, the SMF said every religion had its own laws, practices, and rituals, and that religious scholars issued rulings for believers who followed them. It said such rulings were not being imposed on those who did not follow them.

The council urged people to consider scholars’ statements in their proper context and meaning before criticising them.

The resolution came amid criticism of rival Sunni leader Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar over his remarks that women should not be allowed to mix freely with men during religious celebrations in public spaces. The SMF also urged the media to exercise care and responsibility while reporting or discussing religious matters.

SMF State treasurer Syed Abbasali Shihab Thangal, who is also Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) district president, inaugurated the meeting. State working president Bahaudheen Mohammed Nadwi presided.