Islam gives equal rights to women, Muslim Law Board tells apex court
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The All India Muslim Personal Law Board on Monday submitted before the Supreme Court that Islam was one of the first religions to grant equal rights to women. It is a misconception that women were discriminated here with regard to marriage and divorce, the board said. Reuters file photo
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board on Monday submitted before the Supreme Court that Islam was one of the first religions to grant equal rights to women. It is a misconception that women were discriminated here with regard to marriage and divorce, the board said.
“Talaq, Nikah Halala and polygamy are all integral part of the religion of Sunni Muslims following four schools of thought provided by the Holy Quran and thus being essential to the religion of Islam are protected by virtue of Articles 25, 26 and 29 of the Constitution,” it said in a written submission.
“Pronouncement of triple talaq in one go is undesirable but (it is) irrevocably effective,” it said. The organisation claimed the Muslim Personal Law is a cultural issue which is inextricably interwoven with Islam.
Thus, it is the issue of freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion guaranteed under Article 25 and 26 read with Article 29 of the Constitution. Responding to the Union government’s stand that several Islamic countries had done away with triple talaq, it said changes made by foreign countries and their understanding of the Muslim Personal Law cannot be the basis of interpretation by this court and supplanting foreign laws into Indian context by surpassing the democratic legislative process.
“Talaq, Nikah Halala and polygamy are all integral part of the religion of Sunni Muslims following four schools of thought provided by the Holy Quran and thus being essential to the religion of Islam are protected by virtue of Articles 25, 26 and 29 of the Constitution,” it said in a written submission.
“Pronouncement of triple talaq in one go is undesirable but (it is) irrevocably effective,” it said. The organisation claimed the Muslim Personal Law is a cultural issue which is inextricably interwoven with Islam.
Thus, it is the issue of freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion guaranteed under Article 25 and 26 read with Article 29 of the Constitution. Responding to the Union government’s stand that several Islamic countries had done away with triple talaq, it said changes made by foreign countries and their understanding of the Muslim Personal Law cannot be the basis of interpretation by this court and supplanting foreign laws into Indian context by surpassing the democratic legislative process.