“Customs and traditions of society mostly do injustice with women. Also in the countries which call themselves champion of liberty and freedom of women, the status of women is not better as the societies there have almost demolished the system of marriage, divorce etc.”: Mohammad Salim Engineer
IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, May 03: Injustice with women on the basis of gender has become a global phenomenon and so there is a strong need to break the mindset and social systems that encourage this injustice, said Mohammad Salim Engineer, Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind while presiding over a seminar “Gender Justice & Our Society” in New Delhi on Wednesday.
“Customs and traditions of society mostly do injustice with women. Also in the countries which call themselves champion of liberty and freedom of women, the status of women is not better as the societies there have almost demolished the system of marriage, divorce etc.,” he said.
He deliberated on rights enjoyed by women in Islam.
Nikah is conducted on the permission of woman. She has liberty to go out of marriage through Khula. She has right in inheritance. Widows and divorcees have right to remarry.
Speaking on Triple Talaq, he said: “A perception is being created that Muslim society and All India Muslim Personal Law Board support Triple Talaq in one seating. It is completely wrong. No one likes Triple Talq in one seating. It is against the teachings of Islam and it should be stopped.”
But he made it clear that in the garb of Triple Talaq, some sinister attempts are being made to impose a system on the Muslims.
“Members of other communities give divorce to their wives through court. They want the same system for Muslims, but they are not saying it clearly. Attempts are being made to bring Uniform Civil Code through back door,” said Jamaat leader.
On polygamy, Jamaat leader said: It is said all Muslims have more than one wives. Surveys and census prove it wrong. Polygamy is not a direction, rather a solution to certain social problems like when number of women goes up or for rehabilitation of widows and divorces. Polygamy also has a cap of four. More importantly, it is allowed only when man can ensure justice with all wives.
Other eminent persons who spoke at the seminar included Ajay Kumar, Chief Editor, News Nation TV channel; Mary E John, Member, Executive Committee, Centre for Women’s Development Studies; and Prof. Haseena Hashia, Jamia Millia Islamia.
“In the 20th century India, the most advanced community was Muslim as laws were available for divorce, marriages, education and inheritance. Islam gave them all rights several centuries ago,” said Mary E John.
“Before independence, Muslims were advanced but after independence the reform was stopped among them too. They need to focus on that,” she said.
Senior journalist and Chief Editor of News Nation TV news channel Ajay Kumar said: “We all are Indians and have equal rights. Politics is dividing us. This country is for both Muslims and Hindus. Political parties are making an environment that Hindus are in danger because of Muslim population. While the fact is that even in next 100 years, both will not be equal. People should snatch such issues from politicians.”
