| MCB clarifies its position on document initiated by the Muslim Institute UPDATE Dr Reefat Drabu writes on the issue on the Guardian's Comment is free: A Marriage of Convenience will not do.
`In furtherance of its policy to work with others for the unity of Muslims and for the common good, the MCB had collaborated on a worthwhile initiative on enabling parties to a Muslim marriage to understand and respect their rights and obligations and to enable Courts to enforce the rights of parties in accordance with what is agreed at the time of the Nikah. That initiative has regrettably led to misinterpretation of Shari'ah by those who the MCB had trusted to take the lead on this matter. Those representing the Muslim Institute were reported as saying that the documentation produced was a `re-invention of Shari'ah' or that it was a `modern' or ` reformist' view of the Shari'ah. These types of glib generalisations on sharia councils are unhelpful and not in keeping with MCB's evidence-based approach to community issues. Moreover the MCB looks to the traditional Islamic institutions of ijma (the consensus of scholars) as the way forward in resolving the issues of our times.
The MCB rejects the misguided and incorrect assertions made by and ascribed to the Muslim Institute.
In the circumstances the MCB has decided to produce its own guidance which it will issue after due consultation with its affiliates and ulema' said Dr Reefat Drabu, Assistant Secretary General and the Chair of the Social & Family Affairs Committee of the MCB. |
