The Hindu : New chief for Muslim board

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 23, 2002

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New chief for Muslim board

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD June 22. Syed Mohammad Rabey Hasani Nadvi, Rector, Nadwatul Ulema, Lucknow, was elected the new president of All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) at the 16th session of the board here today.

The board's secretary, Rahim Qureishi, told presspersons that no other name was received for the presidency. The candidature was supported by all the board members. However, the 65-year-old Moulana Rabey did not turn up for the meeting held at Jamia Islamia Darul Uloom due to ill health.

Considered an authority on Islamic jurisprudence, he has authored several books on Islam. He is associated with a number of educational and Islamic organisations both within and outside the country, including the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, U.K.

The board's general body decided to postpone the election of the new executive till October when the three-year term of the board expires.

Speaking to The Hindu, Moulana Rabey said there were better personalities to lead the board, but everyone reposed faith in him.

To a question he said the nation "belonged to all of us." There was no place for violence. He believed in democracy and secularism and would strive to end conflict and animosity during his tenure.

Asked about the presidential candidate, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, he said the country gets the President it deserved. He refused to comment further saying, "we do not know him as yet.''

The three-day session of the board which commenced yesterday sent out a strong message that the Muslims would not tolerate interference in matters governed by the "Shariat''. The laws of Shariat were divine and hence immutable, it declared.

The meeting urged Muslims to follow the Shariat in letter and spirit. "Any laxity on your part may send out wrong signals about its importance,'' said Moulana Rabey, whose speech was read out.

The board's meeting has gained importance as it is being held for the first time after the Gujarat carnage. Nearly 300 Muslim intellectuals, including 150 Ulemas are attending the meet.

The Moulana appealed to the Muslims to settle all their disputes concerning family matters strictly in accordance with Shariat guidelines.

He deplored the actions of some members of the community who were questioning the code of life prescribed in Shariat.

It was necessary to educate such ``ignorant'' Muslims. For this, the board proposed to launch a country-wide campaign.

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