Clerics rside furore over 'nikah' solemnised by woman quazi

Lucknow, Aug 13 (UNI) Muslim clerics have questioned the sanctity of marriage of a Sunni couple under the Shariat law which was solemnised here last night by a Shia women quazi creating a sort of history.

The Shia clerics opposition was lighter compared to the conservative Sunnis, who claimed that it was against the Shariat law, as the Nikah was read by a woman quazi.

A women rights activist Naish Hassan married Imran Naim was working with an NGO in New Delhi. Their 'nikahnama' was read by woman quazi Dr Saida Hamid, a member of the Planning Commission.

Interestingly, both the bride and groom belonged to the Sunni sect, while the quazi was a Shia.

The conservative Sunni Muslim clerics have raised a few questions over the nikah.

Idgarh committee president Riyaz Ahmed said a marriage of this kind could not pass the test of law as a woman Quazi did not have any locus standai in the court of law.

''What is her legal status? Has she been appointed by government?'' he asked.

Member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali, however, made a 'political' comment on the marriage by supporting the 'nikah', but asked the Muslim community not to go for this kind of marriage as it was not allowed in Shariat.

Some Maulanas pointed out the impractability of the idea. A noted cleric of Lucknow asked how many women in north India could perform such marriages. Many of them were qualified Quazis too.

All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board (AIMWPB) president Shaista Amber went on to bless the couple, but later said there was no need to replace a male quazi with a female one.

Meanwhile for Naish, the decision to break the eastablished norms was not easy, but surely she feels excited. ''I am feeling nice. I did not face any opposition and am doing nothing unislamic,'' she claimed.

UNI MB SB ATI KN1327