Madrassas to fight for women’s talaq power

Leading Islamic scholars from  reputed 250 ‘madrassas’ around the country will deliberate on the dissolution of marriage and other issues related to Muslim Personal Law at an international seminar in the Madhya Pradesh (MP) city of Mhow from March 2-5.

Organised by the Islamic Fiqh (jurisprudence) Academy, the deliberation is seen as an important milestone to give Muslim women power to seek dissolution of marriage on account of disagreement. The Academy, which is a nodal point for the scholars of all the Sunni sects says, the dissolution right is very important from women’s point of view as men already have right to divorce unilaterally.

Giving details about the proposed deliberations, Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, general secretary of the Academy said the seminar shall also deliberate issues concerning Islamic insurance and consumption of intoxicants.

Established in 1988, Islamic Fiqh Academy is devoted to the study of contemporary issues in the light of Islamic law. The Academy annually organises seminars, which are called “Fiqhi Seminars”, on issues of contemporary relevance.  The present seminar is the 21st Fiqhi Seminar.

“The experience shows that sometimes it becomes difficult for women to obtain Khulaa (divorce on wife’s demand) despite there being atrocities by the husband, therefore, we need to deliberate as to how such situations are to be dealt with and what should be the powers of a Qazi (judge) in such situations,” said Rahmani.

He said the seminar shall also deliberate on and attempt to provide a framework for insurance based on Islamic principles. He said that the present insurance business being based upon interest and speculation, gives priority to profit instead of addressing needs of the insured persons.

Explaining the prohibition of consumption of intoxicating substances, he said, “As new intoxicating substances are coming into circulation in the society, there is a need to reiterate this prohibition regarding such substances as well so that their consumption may be prevented.”

Leading Muslim scholars Maulana Salim Qasmi, Rector, Darul Uloom Deoband, Maulana Syed Rabey Hasani Nadvi, Rector, Nadwatul Ulema Lucknow and president of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Maulana Jalaluddin Ansar Umar, president, Jamaat Islami Hind, Maulana Ghulam Mohammad Vastanvi, former Rector, Darul Uloom Deoband, and some foreign delegates are participating in the deliberations.