Issues bigger than triple talaq plague community: Muslims

Varanasi: Amid the debate surrounding triple talaq after petitions by Muslim women in apex court and demanding its abolition, TOI caught up with people from different walks of life, majority of whom said that other issues like literacy must be a priority and a better understanding of holy Quran is required.
"What surprises me is that the government has taken up triple talaq as an issue, citing it as an injustice against Muslim women.But there are social indicators like literacy and employment rate among them which are lower than the national average and nobody is talking about it. No reservation system has yet been introduced for them," assistant professor of Urdu Aftab Ahmad said at Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
He said that by raising the issue of Uniform Civil Code, an effort has been made to put an end to position of Muslims.
Mufti-e-Banaras Maulana Abdul Batin Nomani had stressed on a better understanding of Quran and said that it does not allow instant divorce and calls for attempts of reconciliation in the case of marital discord. There is a perception that Islam orders for triple talaq but it is not so. The truth is Islam itself does not advocate for triple talaq and it is not mandatory that it has to be said three times. "Shariat law is made by Allah and we believe in the rules and regulations followed by Rasool's (Prophet Mohammad's) family members. As a maulana (religious leader) we tell Muslims that talaq should not be said at all," he explained.
Member of Shia Personal Law Board and National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language Ehtesham Abidi said that there is no mention of triple talaq in Quran and this confusion needs to be cleared.
"I do not think it should be our PM who should talk about the practice of triple talaq rather our maulanas need to bring in a movement and corrective measures should be initiated by them, if required," he said.
Dental surgeon Mehwish Akmal said that she does not differ with All India Muslim Personal Law Board if after the divorce, ex-husband looks after needs of his ex-wife and children till she marries again. If this one clause is added then no amendments are required, she said.
Islam is a modern religion. There is no reason why amendments need to be made in Shariat law just because some people went to court or are against triple talaq divorce. There are many issues in Hindu religion but no amendments were ever made, government school teacher Ayesha Khatoon said.