PANJIM: Muslims organisations in the state have welcomed the Supreme Court judgment on the issue of ‘talaq-e-biddat’ popularly known as triple talaq, however, cautioned the government and political parties against interfering with the personal laws.
President of Association of All Goa Muslim Jamaats, Bashir Shaikh, said, “We welcome the judgment, even though it will not have any major impact on Goans but nationally it is an important ruling. We have not been in favour of pronouncing talaq thrice at a time and the Supreme Court has upheld that.”
Stating that the national body will take a decision on the next course of action, he said “We are part of the All India Muslim Personal Board (AIMPLB) and the national body will decide on how to go about in the coming days.”
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) State Secretary, Asif Hussain, said they stood with the AIMPLB on the issue and since the Board will be meeting on September 10, further reactions would be provided only after the meeting.
However, quoting the AIMPLB he said “We welcome the SC judgment since it accords protection of Muslim personal law and says that personal laws cannot be tested by courts on the grounds of violation of fundamental rights. This is a huge victory for us as the judgment vindicates our stand and ensures the fundamental right of citizens of this country to freely profess and practice their religious faith and beliefs.”
Hussain further said it has been the organisation’s endeavour as part of the AIMPLB to discourage the practice of talaq-e-biddat through community reform programmes and model form of nikahnama issued by the AIMPLB.
Referring to the Islamic injunctions, Secretary of the All Goa Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, Mohammed Thazakat said firstly talaq is the most disliked deed by Allah and talaq-e-biddat or pronouncing the talaq thrice instantly has no relevance as far as the Quran is concerned.
“We have been professing that no one should indulge in triple talaq as it is against the system of talaq ordained by Islam. Further, there is no need for any legislation and political interference within the tenets of the religion. While there could be some issues but it is majorly a political bubble and the community can deal with the matter”, he added.
