Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim meets controversial cleric Kanthapuram

The meeting came amid controversy over remarks attributed to Kanthapuram that women should remain within their homes and that bringing women into public spaces could lead to social problems. The comments had triggered criticism from political leaders and women's rights advocates in Kerala.

Ahead of the meeting, Anwar had said that Kanthapuram was a respected traditional Islamic scholar and teacher, but emphasised that he did not agree with all his views. The Malaysian Prime Minister specifically highlighted his country's position on women's rights, saying women in Malaysia enjoy equal rights and opportunities in education and public life.

Anwar also pointed to the broader context of Kanthapuram's institutions, including educational establishments attended by women. He said differences of opinion with religious scholars were natural and did not prevent dialogue.

The Malaysian leader's visit to Kerala followed his participation in the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. His Kerala itinerary included meetings with political and religious leaders, with discussions expected to cover community development, education, interfaith harmony and stronger India-Malaysia ties.

Anwar's engagement with Kanthapuram is not his first. He had previously visited the Markaz campus in Kerala in September 2022, before becoming Malaysia's Prime Minister. In 2023, the Malaysian government conferred the Hijra Award, its highest honour for Islamic scholars, on Kanthapuram.

The latest meeting comes against the backdrop of a wider debate in Kerala over the role of religious scholarship, women's participation in public life and interpretations of Islamic traditions. Anwar's comments underline his effort to maintain dialogue while distinguishing Malaysia's official position on gender equality from the individual views of the cleric.