Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) members took out a march to the festival venue. (File Photo)

KOZHIKODE: Muslim organisations in Kerala ’s Kozhikode district have been holding protests after a school staged a play in which a girl performs azaan , the ritual call to prayer in Islam traditionally performed by a male mukri or muezzin. The protesters said the play, Kithab, “insults the Muslim way of life”.

Students of Memunda higher secondary school performed the play, based on a story by writer R Unni, at the district school arts festival at Vadakara on Wednesday. In the play, the daughter of a mukri says she wants to perform azaan like her father does. He disapproves and refuses at first, but later allows her to do the azaan.

Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) members took out a march to the festival venue.

“The play cannot be considered social criticism. It amounts to insulting the Muslim way of life. We have submitted a complaint to the deputy director of education,” said Salim P Azhiyur, a local SDPI leader.

“Memunda school is managed by CPM and the party’s agenda is clear in this play. It will send the wrong message about the Muslim community,” he said.

P K Sreedharan, a teacher at the school, said the play raised a number of valid questions about gender.

“We don’t understand why there are protests against our play. Theatre often raises sensitive religious issues,” he said.



In Video: Kozhikode: Controversy erupts after girl performs azaan in play