The Hindu : National : Nikahnama declares dowry a crime

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Monday, May 02, 2005

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National

Nikahnama declares dowry a crime

Lalit Shastri

BHOPAL: The model `Nikahnama' adopted at the end of a three-day conclave of the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board here on Sunday declared that dowry or even a party for the marriage guests a crime.

On the issue of divorce, AIMPLB secretary Abdul Rahim Qureshi, at a press conference, said the Board was bound by the Quran and was not supposed to follow the example of any Muslim country.

He said Islam did not compel any married couple to live together if it was not possible for them to lead a happy married life. Even when it came to the Hindu religion, divorce was permitted under the Hindu Law, he said adding that divorce was the only solution when a situation arose and it was not possible for a married couple to live together.

He said the new guidelines under Nikahnama clearly stated that efforts should be made by family members, Ulemas, Alims and well-meaning members of society to amicably settle differences arising between a husband and wife. Divorce should be the last resort, Mr. Qureshi pointed out.

Asked why women were not being given the right to seek divorce, Mr. Qureshi said that it was always the husband who had to bear the financial burden of divorce and someone who did not have to bear the financial burden could not have the right to break the marriage contract. There was also a process for dissolution of a Muslim marriage and any Muslim woman could seek the dissolution of her marriage by approaching the Quazi, he said.

Discord must not persist

Briefing about the Bhopal declaration, Mr. Qureshi said that it drew attention to the differences between various Muslim sects. If these differences were allowed to persist, the Muslims would not be able to resolve their problems.

The Declaration said that Muslims all over the world were going through a sensitive phase. Particularly the western media was trying to present a distorted image of Islam and doubts were being created about the intentions of Muslims even in this country. Unfortunately people were being divided on religious lines.

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