Fundamentalists Criticise Kerala’s First Woman MLA from the Indian Union Muslim League for Inaugurating a Restaurant by Lighting a Lamp; Warn of Expulsion from Islam

MLA Fatima Tahlia

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) – The clerics (religious leaders of Islam) of Islamic organisations objected to Fatima Tahlia, the first woman MLA of the Indian Union Muslim League in Kerala, lighting a traditional lamp (‘Nilavilakku’) during the inauguration of a restaurant and termed the act a ‘crime’.

Kerala's first woman MLA, Fathima Thahiliya of the IUML, is facing criticism from hardliners and threats of expulsion from Islam for simply lighting a traditional lamp at a restaurant inauguration.

If lighting a lamp is considered unacceptable, why are Hindus alone expected to… pic.twitter.com/cXdQHQFD6C

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) June 7, 2026

The organisation ‘Samast Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama’ stated at its meeting that lighting a ‘Nilavilakku’ is not an Islamic tradition. Any Muslim who does so would be considered as acting against the teachings of Islam. If a Muslim does so on the basis of a non-Muslim religious belief, he may even be considered to have gone outside Islam. Even if done merely as a matter of tradition or imitation, it would still be considered ‘haram’ (forbidden according to Islam) and a sinful act. The leader of the organisation, Abdul Hamid Faizi Ambalakkadavu, said that Islam does not permit its followers to follow the traditions of other religions.

Editorial Perspective

Only Hindus being expected to embrace equal respect for all religions, while Muslims oppose every religious practice of Hindus, has been going on for several decades. That is why there is no alternative to a Hindu nation.