Ibadan  – An Islamic scholar, Mrs Idowu Sanni, on Sunday in Ibadan urged Muslim men to allow their wives to work  in order  to contribute  to the upkeep of  the family.

She made the call  at the  6th National Conference/Biennial General Meeting of  The Criterion, an Islamic organisation for Muslim Women professionals.

Speaking on  “ Career Muslim Women: Defying the Odds, Reconciling the Conflicting Roles,’’ Sanni said Muslim women needed to sustain the  family in a situation where the husband was incapable of doing so.

“As directed by Almighty Allah, a Muslim woman does not need to put too much pressure on her husband for sustenance in such situation,’’ she said.

Sanni, a school principal, said the dearth of  females  in certain specialised professions such as  medicine and teaching was another  reason why a Muslim woman ought to pursue a  career.

She, however, warned that Muslim women should not allow their careers to  affect the  duties of the home.

“To be a career Muslim woman does not necessarily mean that she should work outside the home.

“ She can work in the public or in the private sector. All she needs to know is that for her to be successful, she needs to reconcile her schedule of duty. She needs proper planning,’’ Sanni said.

In her address of welcome, the National Ameerah of  The Criterion, Dr  Shareefah Labo-Popoola,  said the theme of the conference was carefully chosen to awaken in Muslim women the need to give strength to family values.

The conference had as theme:   “Revitalising and Reinvigorating Family Values.’’

Labo-Popoola said the family needed to be well tended in order to have a peaceful society.

“Being passionate about the women and children, the focus is on the girl-child.

“ Girls grow up to become women and mothers, hence, it is our belief that if our girls grow up educated, responsible and enlightened, we shall be better mothers,” she said.

The conference was attended by delegates from Lagos, Kwara, Osun, Oyo and Abuja districts. (NAN )