Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has stated he does not agree with all the views of Kerala-based Islamic cleric Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliar, who recently called for women to remain confined within their homes. Ibrahim made the remarks during an exclusive interview with NDTV on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where he was asked about the cleric's comments that 'women should remain confined within their homes'.

Ibrahim acknowledged Kanthapuram's contributions as a traditional religious scholar but emphasized that Malaysia guarantees equal rights for women. 'We certainly do not necessarily share all his views,' he said, adding that he would inform the cleric that Malaysia ensures women's equal rights. He also noted that female students at institutions run by Kanthapuram, such as a nursing college, would work in hospitals, implying that the cleric's views do not affect the practical realities of women's roles.

Ibrahim also mentioned the issue to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that one does not necessarily agree with all scholars or leaders. He highlighted the importance of South India, particularly Kerala, for the Malaysian diaspora and expressed a desire to visit Tamil Nadu, though he postponed the trip due to the Chief Minister's absence.

Kanthapuram, general secretary of the All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama, made the controversial remarks at an Islamic conference in Kochi last month, stating that the Quran mandates women to live confined within their homes and not make public appearances. He argued that Islam requires purdah because bringing women onto public platforms causes 'great destruction'. These remarks followed a Samastha circular that barred women from sharing stages with men.

Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan criticized the cleric's position as belonging to the 19th century and a misreading of Islam. Kanthapuram later clarified that he and his associates did not believe women should be confined, though the clarification did not address the broader implications of his earlier remarks.

The situation remains unclear regarding the extent of Kanthapuram's influence and the potential impact of his views on Kerala's Muslim community. While some leaders have condemned the remarks as outdated, others may still support them, reflecting a divide within the community. The Malaysian PM's meeting with Kanthapuram is expected to address these tensions, though no official response from the cleric has been provided in the available evidence.