Malappuram: For the first time in Indian history, Jamitha, also known as ‘Jamitha teacher’ among her fellow people, became the first woman imam when she led the Jumu’ah – a Friday prayer service of Muslims – in Malappuram, Kerala.

Jamitha, the 34-year-old general secretary of Quran Sunnat Society, led the Jamu’ah at the office of the Society on January 26. Around 80 Muslims, both men an women, were gathered to attend the prayers led by Jamitha.

For her step, Jamitha has faced a lot of backlash from elders and members of various other factions. People on social media have also started debating the practice of women leading the Jumu’ah. However, Jamitha says that in the Quran, there is no discrimination between men and women. Both are equal. “Islam does not prescribe that only man can be an imam,” she said.

Jamitha also added that she would continue to lead the prayers as the imam every Friday.

The Quran Sunnath Society believes that men do not own Islam and that both men and women have equal rights in the religion just as the Quran states.