Reconciling Muslim family laws with modern realities
President Hussain stresses need to discuss divorce.
President Mamnoon Hussain being presented a shield by Dr Ahmad Yousif A. Al Draiweesh, President IIUI. PHOTO: PID.GOV.PK
Pakistani society is at a crossroads. This calls for the implementation of remedial measures, such as reform in the Muslim family laws.
This was said by President Mamnoon Hussain on Tuesday at the inauguration of a three-day conference, “The Current Issues in Muslim Personal Laws between Shariah & States’ Legislations,” organised by the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), according to a press release.
President Hussain stressed on the need to bring scholars together on a platform to discuss differences over divorce. The country’s Constitution guarantees religious freedom and consultation is a pre-requisite for resolving differences among different schools of thought, he added.
Foreign and local jurists, lawyers, judges, doctors, and researchers are participating in the conference to discuss contemporary issues in Muslim family laws such as family planning, honour killing, and domestic violence.
The Industrial Revolution and unparalleled scientific developments have radically influenced individual and family life, both in the West and in Muslim societies, he stated. “One marvels at the phenomenal shift from a world divided into isolated societies, to a global village where no society can remain uninfluenced by other cultures.”
IIUI President Dr Al-Draiweesh said the university was considering establishing a fatwa institute by next year which would launch a degree programme to enable graduates to issue decrees.
The conference has been organised by IIUI in collaboration with the HEC and Imam Muhammad Bin Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 14th, 2014.