Women’s Rights Are Not Anyone’s Mercy: Rufaydah Panni
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We offer our heartfelt gratitude to Almighty Allah, the Lord of all creation, for granting our women the blessed opportunity to participate in such a remarkable congregation today. In many national and economic sectors, women's participation is already limited. Various remarks are made to hinder our involvement. We extend our sincere thanks to the Hezbut Tawheed movement for creating such an empowering opportunity for women.
This was stated by Rufaydah Panni, Central Secretary of Women’s Affairs of Hezbut Tawheed, in an interview following the largest Eid congregation organized by the movement in Chashirhat, Noakhali.
When women attend Eid congregations or Friday prayers with their children, it fosters a sense of social connection. They get the opportunity to listen to discussions on Deen (the way of life), which helps develop courage and instills a spirit of struggle within them. However, for centuries, Muslim women have been deprived of participation in social and economic activities, she noted.
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‘At the Hajj, millions of men and women endure the harsh desert, intense heat, and scorching sun of Arabia. They run together between the hills of Safa and Marwah, circumambulate the Kaaba, and stand together in the plain of Arafat — yet no one raises any objections. But in our own country, there is resistance when women seek to participate in Eid or Friday congregational prayers.'‘
Rufaydah Panni stated that during the era of the Messenger of Allah, women were granted this freedom. The Hezbut Tawheed movement has restored that freedom. As a result, the movement has endured much harassment, false allegations, and defamation.
The female leader of Hezbut Tawheed remarked, I believe these rights belong to women and are not a favor from anyone. The Messenger of Allah bestowed these rights upon us. To claim one’s rights, one must struggle, resist, and raise their voice. This process often demands sacrifice and hardship. History has proven this truth repeatedly. The movement of 2024 also demonstrated that rights cannot be won without sacrifice.
Women have had to actively engage in this struggle to claim their rights. Indeed, securing any right requires a well-organized program. Fortunately, we have found such a program. Strong leadership is also essential, and we have found that as well, Alhamdulillah.
To achieve this goal, lives may have to be sacrificed, blood may have to be shed; only then will women ultimately regain their rights, insha’Allah. Just as the female companions of the Messenger of Allah fought to uphold these rights, the women of Hezbut Tawheed are now walking that same path, she said.
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Rufaydah Panni considers women’s participation in the Eid congregation to be a step or the beginning of a step — towards achieving that right.
She said, we will know we have succeeded on the day a woman can travel alone for thousands of miles in the darkness of night, and no one will dare to harass, assault, or violate her. Women will be able to participate with dignity, confidence, and safety in all national, social, and political activities, and their knowledge, competence, and strength will be recognized in society.
That day will mark a new awakening — a revolution. And the first step of that revolution is the freedom of Hezbut Tawheed’s women to participate in the Eid congregation.
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