AIMPLB says no to Communal Violence Bill

By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,

Lucknow: Demand for revoking the court verdicts which are against the Islamic shariah by legislative procedure will figure during the three day 21st annual convention of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) that began here today. The convention is being held at Islamic seminary Nadwatul Uloom besides a open house at Aishbagh eidgaah.

The board openly announced that modern views can never be introduced in the Islamic shariah. “All the laws have to be interpreted in reference to recognized muslim texts,” said Maulana Abdul Raheem Qureishi, the assistant general secretary of the board.

L-R Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli, Zafaryab Jilani, Maulana Abdul Raheem Qreishi, SQR Ilyas, Suleman Rahimabadi

“This is not the first instance when court verdicts have been withdrawn by the legislature. Several such incidents have been reported in the past. We are only concerned with the verdicts which are against the basic tenets of our religion,” he said while interacting with reporters on Friday. He stated that representation to governments will be made for making effective changes through legislation for over ruling court verdicts delivered in the past.

“The board will discuss means for effective implementation of Darul Qaza (Islamic courts) across the country. Proper awareness programme will be held for Muslim fraternity in this regard so that such matters are not discussed in civil courts,” he said. Qureishi however ruled out that ‘triple talaq’ is on the agenda of the board. “All such issues are covered under our family law and we concerned over the court interference in these issues,” he added.

The board in coming two days will also discuss the proposed Communal Violence Bill. AIMPLB, spokeseperson, SQR Ilyas expressed his apprehension over the proposed bill terming it as ‘anti-Muslim’. “We rule out this Bill in its present format. Muslims have also been at the receiving end and this bill does not have provision for accountability for police and officials. We demand that our opinion should also be taken before finalizing the Bill,” said Ilyas. Putting forth their demand in the Bill, Ilyas said that preventive steps for communal violence, effective means to control the violence besides providing relief and rehabilitation to the victims should be clearly laid out in the bill.

Interestingly, the board will not take up the much debated Women's Reservation bill in its meeting. Terming it as outside the gambit of Muslim personal law Qureishi said: “We are only for the effective implementation of Islamic shariah while other issues are taken up by other Muslim orgnisations.” However in a guarded statement he stated that board does not discriminate on the basis of gender and it will elect 30 women members in coming two days.

On Liberhan Commission’s report the board maintained that report cannot be accepted in totality. “The findings of the report are accepted and demand that action should be taken against the perpetrators of crime. However the remarks on Muslims orgnaisation is not accepted. Government should step up the court procedure besides clubbing all the cases at one bench,” he said.