New Delhi, (IANS): Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JeIH) on Friday said it would hold a fortnight-long pan-India campaign from Sunday to create awareness about Muslim Personal Law.
JeIH President Syed Jalaluddin Umri said the campaign would not only educate non-muslims about Muslim Personal Law, but would also focus on those Muslims who don’t follow it in its true letter and spirit.
Addressing a press conference here, Umri said a large section of muslim society was presently “suffering from ignorance” about Islamic family laws.
“It must be recognised that the primary reason for violation of Shariat is large-scale ignorance of muslim masses and lack of sincere commitment to Islamic norms,” he said.
He added that their consequent “faulty conduct” while dealing with domestic disputes have created a “distorted image” of muslims and Islam.
“Courts of the land often pass judgements contrary to the position of Islamic Shariat on disputes related to Muslim Personal Law and media portrays a one-sided image,” he said.
Umri added through the awareness campaign, which would conclude on May 7, the organisation would try to change perceptions and attitudes by “highlighting the ideology behind the Muslim Personal Law”.
“Today, it is being portrayed as if it is the only issue that is holding Muslims back and by doing away with the personal law, all problems would go away. It needs to be understood that this is not the case,” he said.
He alleged the issue of Muslim Personal Law and “triple talaq” were being used to divert attention from all other issues that plague the muslim society.
Umri said over five crore muslims had signed a petition saying they wanted no change in the personal law.
“If muslims are following it, one needs to understand, it is because there is a philosophy and rationale behind it. Those questioning Islam didn’t even try to understand it first,” he added.
Mohammed Jafar, the convenor of the organisation, said the campaign would start in all state capitals on Sunday and would then move to all district headquarters and smaller cities.
He added that a mobile app and a website have also been designed for the awareness campaign.