An evening with a minister
Title
An evening with a minister
Vtmbh article article file
Vtmbh article article order
3
Vtmbh article author
Dr. Shafique
Vtmbh article blurb
Not one woman had been invited to hear Roohullah Madni, the NWFP minister of womens welfare address womens rights in Islam in New York recently.
Vtmbh article body
At an event in New York, I got a chance to see the Maulana [religious leader] Roohullah Madni, a provincial minister from the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP), Pakistan. Madni holds the portfolios of religious affairs, social welfare and womens welfare.
The event, organized by the Khyber Society, was well attended. In his speech Maulana Madni defended General Pervez Musharref's policies, as was to be expected. He also made a number of absurd claims, for example, the minister claimed American bases in Pakistan were set up to treat the wounded from the war.
Maulana Madni, as the minister of womens welfare, spoke about the rights of women in Islam. He talked about how women may leave their houses unveiled, to going to work. But they must not dawdle on the streets. The same goes for men, he said. Women must also not dress provocatively and not dawdle, he added.
It is common knowledge that clerics like Maulana Madni put more restrictions on the mobility of women in society than on men. They justify this practice by invoking Islam. Neither the minister nor the organizers were troubled by the absence of women in the audience, in fact, not one had been invited to attend.
But the Khyber Society boasts democratic traditions. After the guest of honor has had his say, the audience is encouraged to question him.
Why did the minister feel obliged to accept the portfolio of women and welfare? Would not a woman be better able to understand the problems and challenges facing women in society? asked an audience member.
When the ministry for highways can go to a man, so can that of women and welfare, Madni said.
The event, organized by the Khyber Society, was well attended. In his speech Maulana Madni defended General Pervez Musharref's policies, as was to be expected. He also made a number of absurd claims, for example, the minister claimed American bases in Pakistan were set up to treat the wounded from the war.
Maulana Madni, as the minister of womens welfare, spoke about the rights of women in Islam. He talked about how women may leave their houses unveiled, to going to work. But they must not dawdle on the streets. The same goes for men, he said. Women must also not dress provocatively and not dawdle, he added.
It is common knowledge that clerics like Maulana Madni put more restrictions on the mobility of women in society than on men. They justify this practice by invoking Islam. Neither the minister nor the organizers were troubled by the absence of women in the audience, in fact, not one had been invited to attend.
But the Khyber Society boasts democratic traditions. After the guest of honor has had his say, the audience is encouraged to question him.
Why did the minister feel obliged to accept the portfolio of women and welfare? Would not a woman be better able to understand the problems and challenges facing women in society? asked an audience member.
When the ministry for highways can go to a man, so can that of women and welfare, Madni said.
Vtmbh article date
2002-05-30
Vtmbh article edition
22
Vtmbh article hit count
132
Vtmbh article keywords
Vtmbh article line breaks
1
Vtmbh article original language
Urdu
Vtmbh article publication
New York Awam
Vtmbh article section
edits
Vtmbh article thumb
Vtmbh article title
An evening with a minister
Vtmbh article translator
Rehan Ansari
Source
born-digital
Media Type
article
Original Name
Not one woman had been invited to hear Roohullah Madni, the NWFP minister of womens welfare address
Created by Author
yes
Described by Author
no
Date Entered
2002-05-30
Collection
Citation
“An evening with a minister,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed October 1, 2026, https://911.dev.chnm.gmu.edu/items/1327/.