AISPLB adopts model 'Nikahnama'

Mumbai, Nov 26 (UNI) The All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB) today adopted a model 'Nikahnama' that is meant to protect women not only in case of domestic violence but also provide security if the situation of a divorce arises but is not compulsory.

Inaugurating the function, founder member and executive committe member of AISPLB Akhtar Hasan Rizvi said ''Women are the weaker sex and need protection. It is for them, that the model Nikahnama has been adopted and it should be made universal. People from all the religions should study it and see if it is ideal for adoption or not.'' ''If the groom disappears and does not inquire about the wife and does not provide for her essential needs and the state continues for consecutive two years, the wife will have the right to refer to a religious scholar for a divorce and the groom delegates that power to the bride in this regard,'' Maulana Mohammed Athar, President of AISPLB said.

It also provides conditions that the husband will not make allegation on the wife without evidence and in a domestic dispute, the wife will also have the chance to present her cause, Mr Athar said.

While the earlier 'Nikahnama' was just a certificate of marriage with details including name address and signature of the couple, their parents, witnesses and clergy performing the ceremony, the new 'Nikhanama' has the terms and conditions protecting the women as well as the men.

The model 'Nikahanama' adopted also states that if a wife is divorced by her husband and has no means of livelihood, the husband has to provide for her as an unrelated helper until the time the means is acquired by her, he said.

The bride is also not allowed to interfere if the husband is spending money on his parents and relatives after fulfilling her needs.

Both, if they have any complaint against each other, are to approach the arbitrators mentioned in the 'Nikahnama' before approaching the court for a divorce.

MORE UNI ARM MJ MQA BST1806