KOZHIKODE: “Shafia, Naseema, Sakina…...you girls remain at home. I’m here enjoying”; This hit dialogue from an Instagram reel turned Kadiyangad native Nabisumma a popular name in Kerala. The 55-year-old was in Manali when she decided to take a reel to show her friends back home. Never did she think that her name would be dragged into controversies.

Nabisumma is not happy now. The story changed when religious scholars came forward with criticism against her. According to Nabisumma’s daughter Jaffna, her mother is now even afraid to step out of the house following the dictum from religious scholars.

“Doesn’t a widow have the right to travel across the world? She is now mentally exhausted and is often seen crying. The pressure from religion is taking a toll on her life. All the happiness evident on her during the trip is now gone. What a world is this?” Said Jaffna.

Last December 11, Nabisumma went to see Manali with her children. In those times of exultation, Nabisumma shared a reel which surprisingly went viral garnering lakhs of likes. Among praise, the reel also invited the ire of religious leaders like Ibrahim Saqafi Puzhakkattiri.

“A grandmother whose husband died 25 years ago went to play in the snow instead of sitting in some corner and reciting salah and dhikr. She is revelling in joy in the snow.” said Ibrahim Saqafi Puzhakkattiri.

The reprimand from the religious leader however found little acceptance among Malayalees. Many questioned the archaic and redundant mindset of such leaders. Despite the outpouring of support, Nabisumma is still reeling in shock over those incensed comments. It seems like the damage has been done.