ANDALIB AKHTER / New Delhi
Muslim women from different walks of life today warned government against any interference in the Shariah Laws, saying they are well protected and secured under the ‘Muslim Personal Laws’.
Addressing a press conference here today Muslim women representing different school of thoughts and organizations said that community women were totally secured under the Shariah Laws and have got the rights which no other religion has provided to the women.
“We want to reiterate with full conscious that we the Muslim women are totally secured under the Shariah Laws and have got the rights which no other religion has provided to the women” they stressed.
They also made it clear that, incidence of divorce among the Muslims is the least and same is the case of Polygamy. Despite this fact it is projected that as if the Muslim men has no other job but to pronounce divorce.
“The people who have been talking about the gender equality and gender justice must answer what is the ratio of women in Supreme Court, other courts and the Law Commission of India” asked Dr. Asma Zehra a member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board. She also asked why 50% reservation not given to women in parliament and jobs.
They warned that those who are bent upon bringing in the Uniform Civil Code by misrepresenting the facts to the nation will never succeed in their ‘nefarious designs’.
“It is amazing to note that Sangh Parivar is speaking in different voices. Whereas RSS says that Triple Talaq is an internal affair of the Muslims in the country, the Prime Minister has given an absolutely divergent affidavit without caring of 18 Crores of the Muslims who are also the proud citizens of this country and have complete faith in the constitution of India” said another member of the Board.
“It is shocking that the Prime Minister has lowered his office by making such issue as his an election agenda. We, the Muslim women of the country, have complete faith in the Shariah Laws and would never agree for any change in the same”, said Dr. Atiya Khilji of Jamiat Ahle Hadees.
These women also appealed media to be fair in presenting the, unanimity among the Muslim men and women regarding the issue. “We hope that the good sense will prevail in the present day government and the Prime Minister would be magnanimous in withdrawing its affidavit filed before the Hon’ble Supreme Court for the interference in the Shariah Laws”.
“It is gross injustice to women to ban the Talaq system as Women hold an honorable position in Islam and they cannot be forced to go back to the same husband who divorced her and wants separation. Talaq whether single, double or triple is the most disliked act allowed to relieve the couples from unsuccessful marriages. Muslim Personal Law is well balanced just for both men & women and it regards human values” said Mrs. Zeenath Mehtaab of social Reform Committee.
They said that Polygamy is allowed in Islam with the condition of justice and equality in all matters. As per governments records the incidence of second marriages in Muslims is 3.5% whereas incidence of second marriage in Hindu Community is 6.8%.
It is gross injustice to women to ban the Talaq system as Women hold an honorable position in Islam and they cannot be forced to go back to the same husband who divorced her and wants separation. Talaq whether single, double or triple is the most disliked act allowed to relieve the couples from unsuccessful marriages. Muslim Personal Law is well balanced just for both men & women and it regards human values.
“The Muslim Second Wife enjoys all legal rights & Social Protection in Family & Religion. The real issue is of the “Mistress” & “Keeps” who are also women but do not get recognition as member of family & society in the other communities” they stressed.
They thanked Muslim women who have come in large numbers for the Protection of Muslim Personal Law across India from Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, UP, Maharashtra, Telangana, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa and other places. There is huge tremendous response to signature campaign. We appeal to all Muslim Sisters of the Country to come forward and protect Muslim Personal Law from interference by courts or government.
Those who addressed press conference include Dr. Asma Zehra, Member Executive – All India Muslim Personal Law Board,Mrs. Mamduha Majid Member – All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Mrs. Atiya Siddiqui, Member – All India Muslim Personal Law Board, President – Jamaat Islami Hind, Mrs. Zeenath Mehtaab, Social Reform Committee, New Delhi, Mrs. Bushra Rehman Sambhal U.P, Dr. Atiya Khilji, Jamiat Ahle Hadees, New Delhi, Mrs. Khursheed from Deoband, Mrs. Yasmeen Farooqui of Women India, Rajasthan.
Muslim women also raise questions
* Why they have not been in a position to bring in legislation for 50% representation of the women?
• What is the representation of the women in judiciary?
• Why the women are not represented in IIT’s, top National Universities & research centers.
• What is the representation of women in Military?
• How long does it take for the couple to get separated if they are not in a position to pull together properly
They also clarified that
• Marriage is a contract in Islam prescribing various conditions and the woman has all the rights to change the terms or in case the terms are not acceptable, not even to accept Nikah. If she does not say Qabool (accepted), no Nikah can be validated.
• That there cannot be any discrimination in the inheritance between the men and the women and the same has to be in accordance with the Quranic Laws.
• That the incidence of female feticide, female infanticide, dowry, ostentitus marriages is the least among the Muslims.
• That overwhelming majority of the Muslim women are totally satisfied with the Marriage Laws under Shariah and under no circumstances they would like any change in the same. The instruction in Holy Qur’an “Do Justice and that is near to Righteousness”.