Book on Tamil Muslim women launched

A Tamil book on Muslim women titled Pennukku Mariayathai (Respect for Women) pertinent to the life of expatriates, was launched at a function at the Indian Association Sharjah.

Professor Sayabu Maraikayar, General Secretary of Islamic Tamil Literature Society in Tamil Nadu, released the book at a ceremony organised by the Sharjah Islamiya Madaras Association (Siman) to mark its fifth anniversary.

All proceeds from the book written by M. Mohammed Malik will go to building a mosque in the small village of Mayiladuthurai in south India.

The book is divided into three parts, each ending with a verse. In the first part titled The Transient World, the writer speaks about prayer and the fleeting time one spends in this world.

The second is a poignant verse about the wives men leave behind at home when they go seeking employment in foreign countries, and the responsibilities that confront these women.

The last is about the men who have to spend part of their lives away from their families. The writer focuses on education of women and their religious awareness, and touches on all aspects in the life of a Muslim woman citing verses from the Holy Quran and Hadith.

Prof. Maraikayar called upon the audience to support Siman for its humanitarian services to the community.

He also urged the Tamil Muslim community to organise an Islamic Tamil Literature Conference. Alhaj Kadir Baksh Hussain, president of the Abu Dhabi Indian Muslim Association (Aiman), presided over the function, and Abdul Rahim Manbayee delivered the welcome address.

Professor Naseema Banu, Convener of the Islamic Tamil Literature Society's women's wing, released a special souvenir in connection with Siman's fifth year celebrations.

She urged young people to develop self-confidence to succeed in life. She also talked about the importance of women's education by quoting references from the Holy Quran.

Siman, an association of Muslims from Tamil Nadu, has been involved in a number of community welfare programmes. It arranges funds for the marriage of poor women, provides financial support to deserving students for higher education, helps orphans get education, establishes libraries and builds mosques.