Mumbai: Days after Nikhath Fathema resigned as member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), sources said more women members are considering to resign from the high-powered body of Indian Muslims due to differences on triple talaq.
Triple talaq is a contentious issue in the Muslim world since the time of second Caliph Omar (RA). According to the Saheeh Hadeeth, there was total unanimity among Muslim scholars and jurists over the issue during the lifetime of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), entire tenure of first Caliph Abu Bakra (RA) and the first two years of Caliph Omar (RA).
A senior most woman member while talking to ummid.com revealed that dissent within the Muslim panel is growing because of what she called its “lackluster” attitude towards rights of women as defined in the Holy Quran and Sunnah, and the need to make adequate changes in the Muslim Personal Law, especially marriage and divorce laws, within the framework of the Shariah.
“There are clearly a scope for reform in the existing Muslim Personal Law within the guidelines and framework of the Holy Quran and Sunnah. If done it will not only meet the demands of the women activists but it will also help avoiding attack on the Muslim panel which is becoming fierce day by day”, she added.
Another women member, who does not wish to disclose her identity till she gets a reply of her letter sent to President of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Syed Rabey Hasani Nadwi confirmed that dissent within the Muslim panel, especially over triple talaq, is growing.
“The board leadership is off-track and is not doing enough to counter what’s going on in the country over triple talaq”, she said.
“Under such circumstances we have left with no option but to resign from the board”, she said.
Meanwhile, Moonisa Bushra, another woman member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), while addressing a Seerat Program Monday said the practice of “triple talaq” in its present form should be annulled with immediate effect, according to media reports.
The latest views of the women members of the Muslim panel came about a fortnight after Nikhath Fathemah, a well-known activist in Chennai, and a former co-chair of the AHI Academy for Women and president of the alumni association of the Sacred Heart Church Park School who was a member since 2013, resigned from the All India Muslim Personal Board (AIMPLB).
“The board represents various sections of Muslims, including the Ahle Hadees and Shias, both of which do not recognise instant triple talaq. Why are their views not being accepted?”, Nikhath Fathema said explaining the reason to resign from the board.
“If you endorse the validity of instant triple talaq on the basis of what Caliph Umar said, why are you not endorsing the punishment he gave too? I’m not comfortable with this attitude. My conscience does not allow me to continue in the board”, she added.
The board feels that opening the door to reform would mean facilitating a BJP-imposed Uniform Civil Code – a common set of laws governing marriage, divorce, succession and adoption that would replace the various religious personal laws, according to Fathima.
“But should the fear of a Uniform Civil Code mean there should be no reform? Even if some practices are being carried on in the name of tradition, it’s time to change them”, Fathima, who herself is opposed to the Common Civil Code, said.http://ummid.com/news/2016/December/13.12.2016/more-women-members-consider-resigning-from-muslim-panel.html
December 14, 2016 at 5:05 pm
Dissidence in the personal law board reflects that AIMPLB is not considering women’s voice in the case of banning triple talaq and reform in the personal laws. The board with male hegemony is stifling women’s rights. Only if the board allows Muslim women equal opportunity and agrees for stopping the heinous practice of triple talaq, it can stop women members resign . Then only, there will be unity in the board
December 16, 2016 at 5:48 pm
The law on Talaq is what is in the Quran. What Omar ibn Al Khattab (R) did was his Ijtihad (decision) that we honor and remember. It doesn’t change the law that is in the Quran. That is why even the AIMPLB calls it Talaq-e-Bidat. Why it still insists on it, over the Quranic law which it calls Talaq-e-Ahsan or Hasan, is impossible to understand. Nikhath Fatima’s stand was courageous and principled. Other people, not only women, must stand by her and support the Quranic law. There is no need to hesitate to say that as Muslims, we support the law of the Quran. To criticize someone (Nikhath Fatima) because they stood by the Quran makes no sense at all. The AIMPLB is a very important organization and can play a very powerful, useful and critical role in the affairs of Indian Muslims. But to do that it must become far more responsive to the real needs of the people and be prepared to listen to them. An obstructive stand will only alienate more and more people. It is good to remember that a leader is only as powerful as his (or org’s) followers. Alienate enough followers and your leadership becomes invalid. I hope someone can perusuade the powers that be.