By TCN Special Correspondent,
Lucknow: The annual convention of All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB) received a shot in the arm with the presence of eminent Shia cleric Dr Kalbe Sadiq in the post-lunch session on Sunday at Madarsa Sultanul Madaris in Lucknow. Dr Sadiq is Vice-President (V-P) of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and is considered to be a moderate cleric with modern approach.
Dr Sadiq while supporting the 23-point resolution passed at the board, urged for major social reforms in the community. The issue of ‘talaq’ being effected in the community by some clerics was decried by the Shia scholar. “I admit that there are a section of fake clerics who perform ‘talaq’ for some monetary gain. It is not as per the guidelines of the religion,” he said stating that religion is for the benefit of the followers and not harassment. “Any unnecessary ‘talaq’ results in harassment of the woman. It should be stopped and such clerics should be exposed. I have a ‘talaqnama’ from Mumbai where the cleric has signed in Hindi raising suspicion over its authenticity,” said Dr Sadiq.
The AISPLB was established in 2005 to counter the existing AIMPLB by Shias. Dr Sadiq chose to stay with AIMPLB and is currently its V-P. On Sunday his arrival at the AISPLB session was welcomed by the board members. President, AISPLB, Maulana Mirza Mohd Athar rose in respect of the cleric while Dr Sadiq was surrounded by the delegates.
After going through the demands of various speakers, Dr Sadiq stated that if Shia’s waqf properties are properly managed they can make the community self sufficient.
Earlier, in the first session Maulana Athar presented a charter of 23 point demands which include representation in parliament and other legislative bodies, political asylum to Shias of Pakistan and Afghanistan, reinstatement of subsidy for visit to Iran, Iraq and Syria, restraining Saudi Arab government from imposing their faith on devotees during Haj and better management of waqf board’s properties. He informed that the board will soon start a helpline where Shias can get any help related to social customs as marriages, nikah and even talaq. “We appeal for austerity in life and the extravaganza in the marriages and parties should be avoided and money saved to be spent on other account. Even the ‘meher’ at the time of nikah can be utilised for dowry,” he said.
Other speaker Maulana Iftikhar Ansari, MLA from Kashmir, urged for unity among the community for its development. Former minister Dr Ammar Rizvi stressed the importance of education among the community and upgrade of Shia College into a university. Several other speakers who addressed the convention included Maulana Zaheer Abbas, Maulana Raza Agha, Maulana Saim Mehdi, Nawab Mir Hyder Ali Khan and others.