Darul Qazas or counselling centres?

The decision of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) to set up Darul Qaza courts in all districts to resolve issues pertaining to the community, particularly instant triple talaq, has drawn mixed response from the community in the city. Some of them questioned the board’s translation of Darul Qaza as Shariat courts, and said they were merely counselling centres.

“There are 40 such courts in Uttar Pradesh. We plan to open one such court in all districts of the country. The objective of the Darul Qaza is to resolve matters in light of Shariat laws instead of going to other courts,” board senior member Zafaryab Zilani said.

President, Jamaat-eIslami, Telangana and Odisha, Hamed Mohd Khan, said that some sections were wrongly interpreting the term Darul Qaza.

“If the AIMPLB names it as a Shariat court we condemn it and demand they rename it. Darul Qaza translates into counselling centres. There is a need for such centres across the country,” he said.

The AIMPLB plans to open Darul-Qaza in all districts to resolves issues in line with Islamic laws.

While the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), plans to open Darul Qaza popularly known as Shariat courts in the districts of the country, the city has several such courts functioning for last several years.

The courts are set up by religious organisations or institutions with an aim resolve issues on the lines with the Shariat (Islamic laws).

Dr Mufti Mastan Wali runs the Jamiat-ul-Mominaath seminary at Moghalpura which has a ‘Shariat adalat’. “It is a counselling centre or place of arbitration functioning under the Arbitration and Reconciliation Act. Any Muslim can approach and submit his grievance. We try to settle the dispute or issue of Islamic laws online,” said Mufti Mastan Wali.

He clarified that cases which are civil in nature including matrimonial disputes, property and family disputes are brought and settled here.

“After hearing both the sides we give an opinion, we do not call it verdict. People are free to explore other options if they are not satisfied,” Mufti Mastan Wali said.

Mr Mohd Mustaq Malik, who is a member of the Sharia Faisla Board, which runs such counselling centres, said, “The Darul Qaza, is actually a counselling or arbitration or reconciliation centre. The parties approach us and file an affidavit seeking to appoint an arbitrator for resolving their dispute. We hear them and give them our views on the issue.”

He added that there was no force, no coercion or threats to either of the parties.

Mr Malik said several people who had approached them had submitted in judicial courts the view of the board and managed to obtain decrees.

“The Darul Qaza, functions under the Qazi Act 1954. The Qazi in Islam is equivalent to a judge but over a period of time his powers were reduced to performing marriages only,” he said.

It is a counselling centre or place of arbitration functioning under the Arbitration and Reconciliation Act. Any Muslim can approach and submit his grievance. We try to settle the dispute or issue of Islamic laws online — Dr MUFTI MASTAN

WALI who runs the Jamiat-ul-Mominaath seminary at Moghalpura