Mir Mohsin Ali
RIYADH — Indian Muslims living in Riyadh have rejected the proposed implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in India. Riyadh-based organization Tanzeem Hum Hindustani (THH) organized a public meeting on the Uniform Civil Code to oppose the proposed implementation of uniform personal law on the Muslim community by the law commission.
A call was given by the All India Muslim Personal Board (AMPLB) for a countrywide signature campaign. In the meeting held in Riyadh, THH also passed the resolution in presence of large audience and collected the forms from them. These forms will be sent to AIMPLB for the representation from Riyadh. The resolution also demanded to quash Article 144 of the Indian constitution by bringing a bill in the parliament.
Mohammed Quaiser, president, THH, said that they will send the memorandum to the president of India, prime minister and the law commission.
The law commission posted a 16-point questionnaire on its website and asked the people to give suggestion on the implementation of the code. Several Muslim organizations in India have opposed the move and urged Muslims to boycott the questionnaire by not responding to it
The keynote speaker Dr. Sayeed Nawaz said that Indian Muslims are responsible for the current situation they are in. Because of their negligence to follow Muslim Personal Law in their personal issues, the government have got an opportunity to point fingers on our personal law.
He said people from all the religions live harmoniously in India and all the religions have their own personal law for personal issues like marriage, divorce, inheritance etc.
These laws relates to just 10% of the laws and other 90% of the law is common for all the people in India. Even at the time of making the Indian constitution Muslim leaders like Maulana Azad and others opposed the clause about uniform civil code but Dr. Ambedkar assured that it is just a formality and uniform civil code will never be implemented in India.
Architect Abdul Rahman Saleem, president Hindustani Bazme Urdu, congratulated THH on holding this key event, and advised the community to have unity among themselves and NRIs around the globe should come forward and support to AIMPLB.
Social activist Salim Zubadi said every religious community has certain religious beliefs and practices, and to amend the Article, law would affect members of all the religions. He also gave the references of many cases held in different courts in India.
Akthar ul Islam, general secretary Biswas, said the need for young blood in the AIMPLB and this issue of Muslim leadership should be resolved. He criticized Indian news, for TRP channels for creating hype over the issue.
Suhail Ahmed, president, said the need for unity among ourselves to solve this issue and to bring awareness among Muslim community is of utmost priority. Zakir Azmi highlighted the historical aspect of the Muslim Personal Law.
The meeting with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an by Imtiyaz Ahmad. Mohammed Rafeeq, chairman, Mumtaz group, welcomed the gathering and Taqiuddin Mir conducted the proceedings in front of a jam-packed Indian audience. Mirza Azmath Baig, vice president THH, proposed vote of thanks.
