The 26th plenary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) concluded at Salar-e-Millat Auditorium, Kanchanbagh in Hyderabad on 11 February. President of AIMPLB, Maulana Rabey Hasani Nadvi, presided over the meet which was attended by around 400 members and special invitees from different spheres of life which included Ulema, intellectuals social and political personalities.
The meet discussed and decided to protect the Islamic Shari’ah. It was decided:
(1) Babri Masjid is an essential part of faith in Islam and Muslims can never abdicate the Masjid nor can they exchange land for Masjid or gift the Masjid land. Babri Masjid is a Masjid and it shall remain a Masjid till eternity. By demolishing Babri Masjid, it never loses its identity as a masjid. And according to Shari’ah, it always remains a Masjid. Without any doubt, we make it clear that the struggle for the reconstruction of Babri Masjid continues and the appeal in the Supreme Court is being fought rigorously with all the resources available at the disposal of the Board. The country’s topmost lawyers are appearing on behalf of the Muslims and we believe that the Almighty Allah will make us successful in the Supreme Court. Ameen.
(2) The AIMPLB fully supports and endorses the reform movement launched by the Board and it is also decided that state-wide committees and district-level committees will be formed. These will be under the aegis of the central body.
(3) The Talaq-e-Biddat bill moved by the central government is anti-women. It will create more difficulties for women. It is against Shari’ah and it is against the Constitution. The efforts made by the Board will continue to stop this bill in the Rajya Sabha. The Board will start a country-wide awareness campaign against this Bill and will also coordinate with the opposition parties which are opposing the Bill. Country-wide women’s empowerment meetings will be continuously held.
(4) In the plenary, various committee reports were discussed and the members present expressed their satisfaction on the working of the Board.
(5) After the last plenary at Kolkata, many esteemed members of the Board passed away. The President of the Board offered his condolences and made dua-e-maghfirat for the departed souls.
(6) On this occasion, the President of the Board, in his presidential address, said that the Islamic laws are based on the Holy Qur’ān and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him). The Muslims will not accept any amendments or any proposals for amendments in the Shari’ah. India is a secular, democratic country which allows the Muslims and other communities to practise their religion according to their religious laws and customs. In the present circumstances, the Board will focus its energies on Islah-e-Muashira (Social Reform movement), for empowerment and implementation of the rights of Muslim women, to ensure that every reconciliatory step is taken to protect the sanctity of marriage, to ensure that all steps are taken so that the rights of the Muslim women divorcees are taken care by their families.
(7) The Board will take up campaigns to create awareness among the masses and, in particular, among the Muslims, as how the present government, under the garb of Instant Talaq bill (Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 (Triple Talaq Bill), wants to put restrictions on the Muslims.
(8) On Babri Masjid case, the Board is taking every legal step for the reconstruction of the Masjid.
(9) To create awareness and understanding of the Shari’ah, the Board will start a country-wide campaign for this purpose, so that the Muslims are made to understand Nikah, Talaq, Inheritance and how everything should be done according to the Shari’ah laws.
Lastly, the General Secretary of the Board, Maulana Wali Rahmani, presented the general secretary’s report and gave a message that the real strength of the community lies in its unity. We have to save ourselves from disunity so that we remain as an honourable community of the country.
The present environment in the country reminds us that at all costs, we must remain united, ignore our minor differences and adopt the path of moderation and through our writings, words and deeds; we must create unity and peace in the country.