Hyderabad campaigns against Uniform Civil Code

Hyderabad: This historic city with a rich Muslim past has been at the forefront of most national campaigns on issues related to the community. And with the movement against a discussion on the Uniform Civil Code by the Law Commission gathering strength, it once again finds itself in the lead.

Many Muslim organizations here feel the Law Commission's move is the thin edge of the wedge in the attempt to impose a uniform personal law on the community. A call was given by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) for a country-wide signature campaign against the Uniform Civil Code is receiving a good response, with groups belonging to various sects working together.

On the other hand, there are many Muslim women's organizations in the country that are taking a stand against the triple talak issue which is before the Supreme Court.

Various organizations are collecting signatures of both men and women to oppose any move "to interfere with Muslim personal law". The campaign has been taken up at various mosques in the city of men and women signing a proforma prescribed by AIMPLB, said to be apex body representing Muslims in the country.

The proforma for women in part reads: "We the undersigned Muslim women do hereby declare that we are fully satisfied with all the rulings of Islamic Shariah, particularly Nikah, inheritance, divorce, khula and Faskh (dissolution of marriage). We deny that these need any reform or there is any scope for change therein." The proforma also says the signee "firmly stands" with the AIMPLB to "safeguard Sharia law".

Imams at mosques, in their sermons, are speaking about what they see as a first step toward imposing the Uniform Civil Code by the government at the Centre. They are exhorting Muslims to unite to defeat the proposal.

By Mohammed Shafeeq