Lindi Kotal: Protest against women’s cycling

Jamaat-e-Islami has protested on Sunday against the first women’s bicycle rally in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa district last Friday.

A large number of people took part in the demonstration at Lindi Kotal Bazaar and termed the women’s cycle rally as a violation of tribal culture and traditions.

Pakistani cyclist and adventure sportswoman Samar Khan organized the first cycling camp for tribal women in Lindi Kotal last Friday in which 15 girls participated.

Samar Khan organized a cycling camp at Lindi Kotal with the help of local former sportsperson and freelance journalist Jemima Afridi who also donated 10 bicycles for the camp.

Samar Khan said that for the first time she cycled with tribal women in Peshawar University and she enjoyed it and the response was also very good, after which the idea of ​​establishing a cycling camp for tribal women emerged in her mind.

He further said that the mothers of Lindi Kotal have taken great interest in their daughters’ cycling, so in future, sports competitions and cycling rallies will be organized for the women there.

In the protest held at Landi Kotal on Sunday, Jamaat-e-Islami Landi Kotal Ameer Muqtadar Shah Afridi said in a conversation with Independent Urdu that holding women’s cycling is an attempt to spread indecency in the area and such activities will not be allowed.

‘Women’s cycling sends the wrong message, women should be veiled instead of engaging in such activities.’

Former general secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Landi Kotal, Murad Hussain Afridi, alleged that the bicycle rally was organized by a non-governmental organization as part of an ill-conceived plan.

He said that protest is the first step against such activities, while the future course of action will be decided after consultation.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Mufti Ijaz Shinwari also opposed the cycle rally and said that his Jamaat will oppose any un-Islamic and non-Sharia work.

Jemima Afridi said in this regard: ‘I made a plan for girls involved in sports in Khyber district and also contacted the parents of the girls and organized a two-day camp with their permission.’

Jemima Afridi further said that a wrong impression has been spread about women in Khyber district that they cannot leave the house, while only women and girls go far to fetch water.

“Women also have the right to fulfill their needs and where there are no facilities for them, people should be trusted and efforts should be made for them.”

Assistant Commissioner Landi Kotal Irshad Mohmand was contacted and he said that there is no prohibition of any such activity in the law, however the people and the people should keep tribal traditions and Islamic values ​​in mind.