Telangana HC affirms rights of Muslim women to pray in mosques

A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J. Sreenivas Rao has affirmed the right of Muslim women to enter a mosque and offer prayers. The decision addresses a writ appeal filed by the Muthawali Committee of Ibadath Khana Hussaini, challenging a previous order that permitted women of the Akbari sect to perform majlis (prayers) at the mosque. 

The initial judgment had granted women access but included specific interpretations of Quranic verses, which have now been expunged by the High Court bench. The case had begun when the Anjumane Alavi Shia Imamia Athna Ashari Akhbari filed a writ petition against the Muthawali Committee’s denial of entry to women for prayer. The single judge



initially ruled in favor of allowing women’s participation, which led to the appeal by the Muthawali Committee. 

During proceedings, it was conceded by both parties that the right of women to enter a mosque and participate in prayers was undisputed. However, it was agreed that women were not permitted to lead prayers within the mosque. The bench acknowledged this agreement and subsequently removed the interpretative elements related to Quranic verses from the earlier ruling. 

The High Court also directed the mosque authorities to implement arrangements to accommodate women for separate prayer sessions, ensuring they have a designated space within the mosque.