Triple Talaq is a non-issue that is being blown out of proportion by those with a political agenda,” said women leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) while addressing a press conference in New Delhi on 2 May. On the media heat over calls for reform regarding triple talaq and polygyny, the Jamaat women said: “Islamic laws are divine and so can’t be changed. However, the Muslim community needs awareness and education about Muslim Personal Laws to contain their misuse.”
The JIH National Secretary for Women, Mrs. Atiya Siddiqa briefed the media about their ongoing nationwide ‘’Muslim Personal Law Awareness Campaign’’. “We are setting up counselling centres and Shari’ah panchayats in different parts of the country to resolve family disputes, including divorce. We are also targeting 10 lakh mosques in the country in order to apprise the Muslim masses about the teachings of Islam on family matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance, etc. Our awareness campaign is in full swing in the country. JIH cadres are reaching people and educating them on issues like marriage, divorce, khula, and inheritance,” she informed.
Mrs. Siddiqa also said: “During the campaign, JIH plans to hold 10,000 awareness events including public speeches and press meets, free distribution of two million books and booklets on family issues like marriage, divorce, inheritance etc. Besides, JIH is holding 700 symposiums on “Gender Justice in Islam” throughout the country. Apart from metros, cities, and towns, JIH cadres are reaching out to 500 slum areas and 20,000 villages. Overall, JIH has set a target of individually reaching 1.5 million Muslims and 100 million countrymen through various forms of media. We have made a mobile android app called MPLAC and a dedicated website www.mplac.in. The national campaign will conclude on 7 May.”
Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s advice to Muslims not to politicise the issue of Triple Talaq, she said: “We all know who is politicising triple talaq. They should stop that. We want zero divorce and that is why we are running this nationwide campaign.
“Muslims are being maligned and media is projecting them in a bad light. We want to improve our image,” she said. On polygyny, Mrs. Siddiqa said: “There is wisdom behind provision for polygyny in Islam. It is a provision for rehabilitation of widows and divorcees, used in specific circumstances. Islam wants men to treat women with dignity.”
Mrs. Siddiqa was accompanied by Mrs. Shaista Rafat, In-charge, Women’s Department, JIH Delhi & Haryana and Ms. Nikhat Mulla, In charge, GIO Delhi. Mrs. Rafat also addressed the press.