Shia board slams triple talaq, backs ban on cow slaughter

LUCKNOW: The All-India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB) adopted a resolution endorsing ban on cow slaughter and denounced triple talaq (divorce) at a meeting here on Wednesday amidst fresh spotlight on both the issues. The Muslim body also favoured resolution of Ayodhya dispute through talks.

“The executive committee of the board deliberated on several issues before the Muslim community. We are of the view that in the interest of the country, the parties to the dispute (both Hindus and Muslims) should sit down together and solve the matter through talks,” said Maulana Yasoob Abbas of the AISPB. In another resolution, the board demanded representation for Shias within the quota granted to minorities in government jobs and all other sectors. “Shias have been ignored in the recommendations made by Sachchar Committee.

We want that a similar commission be set up for six crore Shias and they to be given their due rights and quota in jobs,” said Maulana Abbas The religious body praised the ‘fatwa’ (religious decree) issued by a renowned Iraqi Shia cleric Ayatullah Bashir Najfi imposing a ban on cow slaughter and said it would be followed in letter and spirit here also.

Though Shias do not follow triple talaq, the board’s stand on the issue has been at variance to that of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), which has prominent Shia clerics like Maulana Kalbe Sadiq and Maulana Kalbe Jawan also on its panel.

Both Maulana Sadiq and Maulana Jawad are not members of AISPLB though and as such did not attend Wednesday’s meeting.

In September, last year, the AISPLB had mooted its own model ‘nikahnama’ (marriage contract) laying down specific guidelines and conditions on which a marriage could be annulled. Maulana Yasoob said it was a misconception that women did not have divorce rights.

“Men and women have equal rights but it is the provision of triple talaq that has been cropping of and on and unnecessary putting the religion (Islam) in bad light.

And now the matter has reached Supreme Court,” he pointed out.

The Supreme Court is hearing a petition filed by women’s rights activists who want declaration of triple talaq -- whereby Muslim men can divorce their wives by simply stating their intention three times orally -- as unconstitutional.

Maualan Yasoob said he was confident that the model nikahnama would be accepted and adopted across the country by Muslims as it empowered women and gave them rights in the modern context and was not in variance with anything laid down in the Indian Constitution.

THE RELIGIOUS BODY PRAISED THE ‘FATWA’ ISSUED BY AN IRAQI CLERIC IMPOSING A BAN ON COW SLAUGHTER AND SAID IT WOULD BE FOLLOWED HERE ALSO