By Salim Mutuma
The Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya National Commissioner Hassan Omar has opposed requests by a section of Muslim women who want a woman appointed at the top position in Kadhi courts.
The women argued that it was right for change of gender as the incumbent Chief Kadhi Sheikh Ahmed Muhdhar’s tenure nears completion.
They said the appointment of the first female Chief Justice Martha Koome had paved the way for inclusion of women in the top positions of leadership in the Judiciary.
Muslim Lawyer Nusrat Mohammed argued that time had come for women to be included in decision making as long as they had studied Islamic law adding that they would make great legislators.
Her colleague Fatuma Juma said there were some things women could not open up to male advocates therefore need to include females in the law making departments.
Commissioner Omar argued that there has never been a female Kadhi in the history of Islamic religion adding that women could not solve divorce cases nor officiate marriages.
Chief Kadhi Muhdhar however supported the idea saying that just like men, women too were entitled to similar positions.
