Religious scholar criticises 55-year-old Kerala woman for viral travel video: Social media supports her

Social media could be a vicious place where people are trolled and attacked relentlessly. But, you would also see the internet joining forces for a good cause or holding people together in a crisis. A few weeks ago, 55-year-old Nafeesumma from Kerala's Malappuram was featured on a reel, where she was enjoying Manali's snowy hills. The reel also has her reminding her friends back home what they have been missing.  Nafeesumma’s video was posted by 'Plan to Go' on their official Instagram handle. The handle also thanked Nafeesuma’s daughter for taking her mother on her dream journey. The video soon became viral, with millions of views and shares. In a while, Nafeesumma and her Manali trip became the talk of social media.

However, the video of a Muslim scholar criticising Nafeesumma, who is a widow, for enjoying the holiday also surfaced online recently. “A grandma who is a widow is playing in the snow in another state instead of sitting in a corner and muttering prayers,” the scholar is heard saying in the video. This video quickly spread online, inviting wrath from social media. Many offered support to Nafeesumma, and encouraged her to ignore the scholar's words and enjoy with her daughters. Among them, a note posted by Jamshid Pallipuram, in which he expresses appreciation for Nafeesumma and her daughter, is the most shared one on social media.

Jamshid writes: “Nafeesumma’s video grabbed over five million views within hours of posting it. After the video became viral, Nafeesumma narrated her life story with a smile on her face; it would fill your eyes. ‘It’s been 22 years since my husband passed away. He died when my youngest daughter was just seven months old. I owned an eight-cent plot but didn’t have a house. I worked tirelessly and availed a loan to build a small house. My old parents too stay with me. We were very poor, and I raised my kids by working as a housemaid and a labourer. I didn’t sit at home even during the month of Ramadan. I hardly knew what happiness was as I kept working. Now, my three daughters are married. It indeed is God’s grace that I was able to raise three kids and marry them off after my husband died. My daughters took me on a trip, saying that I should regain my happiness. Now, I am happy and wish to travel more. I feel as energetic as a teenager. If you have 10 cents, do not hesitate to travel even by selling two cents from it,’ Nafeesumma said.

Nafeesumma is 55 now. She must have lost her husband when she was in her early thirties. In a society that sees remarriage as a taboo, a woman who has children does not dare to marry again, even if she desires. Nafeesumma is a woman who hasn’t experienced happiness for most of her life. She travels to Manali, at the age of 55, with her daughter and finds joy. She does a reel and posts it online to express her excitement. But, watching that reel, the Muslim scholars have lost their sleep. They think that a window should remain inside the house after her husband dies, muttering prayers. The snowy hills of Manali and the beaches are forbidden to them. Do not think these ‘rules’ have been relaxed for married or single women.

These people insult and prey on human beings (especially Muslim women) wherever they see happiness. They impose restrictions on others’ dreams and desires, making life dry and uninteresting. Lord Almighty has created this world and the miracles in it so that humans can explore and see them. As Nafeesumma said, you should travel even by selling two cents from your land. Travel to places, meet people and enjoy new experiences!

Nafeesumma’s reel becomes more beautiful if you watch it again after listening to her life experiences. Our hearts will surely melt seeing a woman who has faced life with courage and strength conquer the snowy hills of Manali.”