Signature campaign against law panel move on uniform civil code

Lucknow: A signature campaign against the National Law Commission's decision to seek public opinion on the Uniform Civil Code and the Centre's alleged attempt to abolish triple talaq in one sitting was initiated by leaders of Darul Uloom Farangi Mahal after Friday prayers at Aishbagh Eidgah.
With support pouring in from both men and women, the signature campaign's purpose is to safeguard both Shariat and the Constitutional rights of Indian Muslims, said Eidgah Imam Maulana Khalid Rashid, who is also a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB).
Prior to the signatures, Maulana Rashid in his 'khutba' before the Jumah prayers said, "This is a clear interference to belittle the Muslim Sharia and we are ready to defend it and our democratic right to practice our religion." The submission of signatures will continue at the Eidgah till October 30. Burqa-clad Noor Bano from Maulviganj, who was present after the prayers to register her protest, agsainst what she called 'meddling in the ways of Muslim laws', said, "It is said that AIMPLB curtails our rights as women, but that is a false propaganda. We are happy with the body and its decisions and Muslim law. There is no need for the government to intervene and change it," she said.
Those present in the protest agreed with the Imam in unison for standing up for protection of Muslim laws. Shoeb Ahmed (57) claimed that the issue was being raised only for political gains. "The Muslim law is only an issue before elections when some or the other party wants to term itself as the saviour of Muslims, particularly its women. While on the ground, all is well within the community that has no problems with following it," he said.
Maulana Rashid said, "The law commission has extended a questionnaire, asking for a public opinion on the issue. In its protest, the AIMPLB has asked Muslim men and women to register their names against implementation of common civil code and abolishment of triple talaq. We all abide by the Muslim personal law especially with its laws for marriage, divorce, Khula, inheritance and Faskh and do not want any changes made. We also have constitutional rights to practice our religion. We will continue to democratically protest against it if the intervention continues."
"We may agree to disagree on certain issues as far as Shia and Sunni communities are concerned, but our stand on Uniform Civil Code is clear we do not approve of any such move of the Centre," said Shia cleric Maulana Yasoof Abbas who is also a member of All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB).
"We have our reservation on triple talaq but a common civil code is a direct interference in our religious issues and we cannot allow that in any form or manner," he said. Shaista Amber, president of AIMPLB, stood in support of the AIMPLB's appeal to boycott the Law Commission's questionnaire on UCC.
Meanwhile, Mufti Taufeeq Mansoor Mazahiri of Ratnagiri in Maharashtra has started an online petition seeking the community's views on the Law Commission's questionnaire. "More than 29,000 people have already signed the petition and the count is increasing every hour," Mufti Taufeeq said talking to TOI on phone from Ratnagiri.