‘Collective responsibility vital to overcoming child abuse’

Dowry culture should be abrogated for ease in nikkah: Sultan Ahmad Ali

With incidents of child abuse being increasingly reported recently, there is a need to fulfil collective responsibility to overcome incidents such as child abuse.

This was stated by Sahibzada Sultan Ahmad Ali while delivering his keynote address at the Annual Milad-e-Mustafa and Haq Bahoo Conference organised by Islahee Jamaat and Aalmi Tanzeem-ul-Arifeen. Patron-in-chief Sultan Muhammad Ali presided over the conference.

Jamaat and Tanzeem Secretary-General Sahibzada Ali said that today, Muslims across the world are facing discrimination, and that collective efforts t counter it is the need of the hour.

“We are listening to voices of ‘Akhand Bharat’ and in such a scenario, we need to stand like a wall once again as the Quaid did against congress and colonial powers to save the Muslim identity,” he said.

We need to overcome internal challenges, which are paving way for various social evils, he said, expressing concerns over the rising cases of child abuse.

There is a need for national unity against it, he said.

Ali further said that such social evils can only be kept in check by taking guidance from the Holy Quran. The Holy Quran guides us to look into ourselves and ponder upon our deeds so that one can control evil desires, he said.

“The Holy Quran instructs us to take care of our sight and thoughts as a prerequisite against evils. The negative use of entertainment media and the internet is a major reason behind such incidents and the prevalent immorality in our society.

“Material which creates and evolves negative forces amongst youngsters should be restricted. However, very careful and constructive use of these electronic sources can lead towards a constructive and modest society,” he added.

Moreover, he expressed the view that the nikkah should be made easier. One of the major hurdles in nikkah is the unfortunate prevalent culture of dowry. Practically, the responsibility is on the part of the husband who should deny any demands of dowry and instead focus on modesty and morality. We should also revive the law of inheritance and grant our girls with their due share in the property.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27^th, 2020.