A co-ordination committee of various Muslim religious bodies in the state, with the support of top leaders of the IUML, has decided to approach the apex court, seeking an exemption from marriage age restrictions for girls in the community.
According to the newly-constituted Muslim Personal Law Protection Committee in Kozhikode, setting marriage age for Muslim girls is an encroachment of the Sharia Law, which does not suggest marriage age for women and hence the Muslim community should be exempted from the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 and the Kerala Registration of Marriages (Common) Rules 2008.
Besides the IUML, the committee comprises representatives from Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen, Naduvathul Mujahideen Kerala, Jamaat-e-Islami, Dakshina Kerala Jemiyyathul Ulama, Kerala State Jemiyyathul Ulama, Muslim Educational Society and Muslim Service Society. Samastha secretary Kottumala Bappu Musaliyar is the chairman of the committee, while IUML state secretary M C Mayin Haji and Samastha Employees Association general secretary Mustafa Mundoopara are the convenor and coordinator.
“Sharia Law does not recommend marriage age for Muslims. Laws being enacted in the country setting age restrictions for marriages are against the religious fundamental rights of the Muslim community. The Central as well as the state governments should take urgent steps to solve the issue,’’ Mustafa said.
IUML national secretary E T Mohammed Basheer said: “It is a matter pertaining to religion and the demand has been raised by religious bodies. The IUML does not need to react on their decision.”
Panchayat and Social Welfare Minister M K Muneer said it was the Chief Minister who should respond to the development.