Kozhikode: SDPI, MSF up in arms against Kithab

Kozhikode: Kithab, the school-fest drama presented by Memunda Higher secondary school, has invited the wrath of SDPI and MSF.

The drama, which deals with gender justice in a Muslim background, was adjudged as the best and had won the best actress prize in the high school section at the revenue district level fest concluded in Vadakara on Friday.

Soon, MSF leaders met the district education officer (DEO) with a written complaint that the drama is defaming Islam. “The drama misrepresents Islam in gender issue giving a narrow perspective. That is highly condemnable,” said MSF leader Anseer Panoli.  

The drama is an independent adaptation of R. Unni’s short story Vaanku in which a girl desires to become a muezzin, like her father. But her wish has been nipped at the bud as there is no women muezzin in Islam.

It leads to several queries about gender discrimination. “The drama discusses gender justice, which is a thorny issue in all religions," he said.

“Here the background is that of a Muslim family, and hence it tells Muslim life. There is no attempt to insult any particular religion,” says its scriptwriter-director Rafeeq Mangalassery.

SDPI held a protest rally to the main venue of the fest inviting police intervention. However, the audience is in awe of the drama.

Riya Parveen of Memunda school who essayed the role of the girl was the best female actor.  Mr Mangalassery was noted for his other works such as Annaperuma and Kottem Kareem.