Even as the All India Muslim Personal Law Board did not take a stand on much publicized women reservation bill at its annual conclave here, yet the deliberation at meet widely reflect concern for the women.
The Board not only increased the representation of the women in the body, its president Maulana Rabey Hasani Nadvi asked for a better deal for women In his presidential address, Nadvi emphasized the need to accord greater importance to women in all spheres, particularly in matters of marriage, inheritance and reforms within the Muslim society.
“The true spirit of Islam is in giving honour and respect to women who often do not get their due,” said Nadvi, who was re-elected the Board chief for the third consecutive term. He was first elected as chairman in the Hyderabad session of board.
Nadvi appealed to the Muslims to stay away from social evils like female foeticide, dowry and lavish weddings. These, incidentally, formed the core of the islah-e-ma'ashra (reform of society) programme of the Law Board. He laid emphasis on the protection of women's rights.
Interestingly the board's reluctance to oppose the bill is seen as a setback to many, from Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Prasad to Mamata Banerjee, who have described the legislation as detrimental to Muslim women.
Sources in Board said that an informal discussion before the formal session where some office-bearers had highlighted the need for a “quota within the quota”. But Nadvi dropped it on the ground that the Board should restrict itself with protection and preservation of the Islamic shariah instead of taking a political position on key issues of the day.
Board secretary Abdul Raheem Qureshi too explained that it was not the proper platform to discuss a “sensitive and potentially political issue” like the women's reservation bill.
The total number of women members in the executive panel of the body has been enhanced to five. The four new female members are Rukhsana Lari, Safia Naseem (both from Lucknow), Noorjehan Shakeel (Kolkata) and Asma Zehra (Hyderabad). Naseem Iqtidar Ali Khan was till now the sole woman member in the executive committee. She continues to be on the panel.
Another significant feature of the Board's elections was its attempt to expand its representation in the north-eastern States and Ladakh. The representatives from these regions were elected as term members. While, Maulana Bilal was elected from Meghalaya and Syed Ahmed from Tripura, the Independent MP from Ladakh ( Jammu and Kashmir), Ghulam Hussain and Maulana Ata-ur- Rehman, AUDF (Assam United Democratic Front) MLA from Badarpur in Assam were elected term members from Ladakh and Assam.
Meanwhile the Board has decided to oppose the proposed amendments to the Communal Violence Bill which seek to give more powers to men in uniform. The Board would bring all Muslim MPs to mobilise opinion on the issue.
“The police force throughout the country is biased against Muslims… any arbitrary powers given to them would be extremely harmful for the community,” the Qureshi said. “We oppose amendments to the Communal Violence Bill which would give extraordinary powers to the police in riot situations,” he said. (andalib2001@yahoo.com)
By Andalib Akhter
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