The Telangana High Court has upheld the right of women to offer namaz in Hyderabad’s Ibadat Khana. Referring to Islam’s holy book Quran, the court said that it does not prohibit women from entering or praying in Ibadat Khana. Ajmun Alvi Shia Imamiya Ithna Ashri Akhbari Society had filed a writ petition in the Telangana High Court against the ban on women’s entry in Ibadat Khana located in Darulshifa, Hyderabad.
The Telangana High Court, referring to Article 25 (1) of the Indian Constitution, said that this article gives freedom of conscience to all the people of the country and the right to believe, practice and propagate their religion without any discrimination. The court further said, ‘We have not read anywhere in the holy book Quran that women are prohibited from going to Ibadat Khana or offering namaz there.’
The order further said that the court has also taken note of the statement of the Waqf Board, which said that the Ibadat Khana is for the entire Shia community including women and both sects. In the year 2023, Ajmun Alvi Shia Imamiya Ithna Ashri Akhbari Society had demanded from the Telangana Waqf Board to allow women to enter Darulshifa Ibadat Khana and offer prayers there. However, there was no response from the Waqf Board, after which the society filed a petition in the Telangana High Court demanding the removal of the ban on the entry of women. The High Court has upheld the entry of women in its decision.