CHENNAI: Ever since it was set up last year, the State’s only female Shariat court situated in Dindugul has come a long way. Cases of over 100 young Muslim girls have been heard within a year of its inception, says Jaibunisha Reyaz Babu, state convenor of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan.
The situation of women is better now, since the court was set up. “However, early marriages and polygamy are still prevalent in the Muslim community,” she added.
To put an end to this, the Organisation for Muslim Women suggested that a codified legislation, called Muslim Personal Law, be brought into effect, said Jaibunisha.
To create consensus among women across all sections, the seventh annual convention of the organisation was held in Chennai on Thursday where prominent personalities explained the proposal.
“The Quran has always held women in high regard. We need to reinforce this to the government and do away with the uniform civil code furthered by political parties. In the draft we aim to propose this,” said Noorjahan SafiaNaaz, co-founder.
Women who had gathered from various parts of Tamil Nadu applauded in response to the proposal. They felt that the organisation which gave voice to Muslim women who had all along been under represented would now empower them.
“Having suffered from an early marriage and a husband who was interested in other women, I have had the experience of being a suppressed Muslim woman. I broke the shackles and am now helping other women fight back “, said A Sarammal, a counsellor.