DNA Edit: Educate Muslim girls

By drawing attention to the high drop-out rate among Muslim girls in schools — nearly 72 per cent — Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has highlighted the need for education within the community. Without sounding patronising, one must acknowledge the fact that the community’s opposition to reforms stems largely from its lack of engagement with books and ideas.

The Congress’s so-called secular agenda since Independence has miserably failed to introduce educational and economic opportunities for Muslims. The women, bound by religious diktats and patriarchy, are particularly at a disadvantageous position. When there is growing literacy among all sections of society, why should Muslim women be left behind? It is interesting to note that a supposedly Right-wing party at the Centre is taking steps to ensure socio-economic empowerment of minority women, especially girls.

The 2011 Census data on literacy levels of religious communities showed that 42.7 per cent of Muslims are illiterate. This is the highest level of illiteracy among all communities. The lack of education at the rudimentary level automatically translates into the lowest level of enrolment in higher education. By deliberately keeping Muslims away from education and jobs, most political parties have been able to exploit the community for electoral gains.

Naqvi’s concern should resonate with the religious elite which has considerable say in community affairs. By keeping girls away from schools, Muslims are doing a huge disservice to themselves. Interestingly, the recent call for reforms, especially in the case of Triple Talaq, had come from women. This shows if girls are educated and made aware of their rights, it will bring about a sea change within the community.