Jamaat advocates Sharia courts to contain 'society's decline'

Ahmedabad, Dec 3 (UNI) Concerned about the rising incidences of divorces, family feuds, suicides, waywardness of youth etc, The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has advocated setting up of 'Shariat courts' to guide Muslims to lead their lives in strict accordance with the Islamic Shariat.

Blaming the onslaught of Western culture, illiteracy and ignorance for the ''degeneration' setting in the society, Mohd Iqbal, the Jamaat's All India secretary, today said these courts will not act as a parallel judicial system. ''They will be more like gram panchayats or family courts, that will solve family disputes and other local issues.'' Elaborating on the powers of such courts, he said these courts will only have recommendatory powers and cannot deal with criminal cases.

He said his organisation has launched a ten-day campaign that will end on December 10, to educate Muslims about Islamic family regulations and encaurage them to practically follow those injunctions.

A large number of Muslims were not aware about nikah, talaq, khula, inheritance and other familial responsibilities, and this many a time causes misunderstandings, he observed.

Regretting that family values are being fast eroded, he said this is reflected in increasing instances of marital discord, family feuds, declining gender ratio, waywardness of youth, negligence of the elderly and exploitation of child labour.

''We will be also communicating with 3,00,000 Muslim families on these issues during our campaign. Our Hindu brothers will also be contacted and we will try to educate them on Islamic prescriptions and remove their misconceptions about certain issue,'' he told reporters here.

When asked, if the Jamaat would be highlighting such aspects as jehad, Mr Iqbal said did not come within the purview of family system. ''Jehad is a very misunderstood word. We anyway try to make people understand that jehad is not about terrorism.'' About burqas being compulsory, Mr Iqbal said the Koran has prescribed 'hizaab' for women to protect them and as a way of respect for them. ''But it is no way an impediment or restriction.

They are free to study, get jobs and carry forward a normal life.

There are several women who have achieved success, wearing a burqa,'' he said and regretted that a Muslim woman had to lose her job in the UK for wearing a veil to work.

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