Date:12/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/12/stories/2008051257581000.htm

Tamil Nadu

Conference of Muslims in Thanjavur

Special Correspondent

THANJAVUR: A large number of Muslims, including hundreds of women, attended the Thowheeth Ezhuchi Maanadu (State level Thowheeth conference) at Vallam near here on Saturday.

As the conference began this morning with the inaugural address by P. Jeinul Abitheen, State president of the Tamil Nadu Thowheeth Jamaath, which has organised the two-day conference, thousands of people were seen moving towards the conference pandal.

Traffic has to be regulated on the Vallam Road, Thanjavur-Tiruchi Main Road as hundreds of vans and buses in which the Muslims were coming to the conference started reaching the conference venue.

“We are insisting that women are treated with full respect and freedom in Islam. Their participation in large numbers in this conference is a proof for this,” said an organiser of the conference.

Exhibition

An exhibition with book stalls, medical and legal aid stalls, career guidance stall, employment opportunities, Islamic software and scientific inventions formed part of the conference.

Police under the leadership of Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar Singh have made elaborate bandobust arrangements.