Ajmal slams triple talaq verdict, says Jamiat will move SC

GUWAHATI: Though a majority of Muslims in Assam have welcomed the Allahabad high court's recent verdict calling the Islamic practice of triple talaq unconstitutional, president of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) Badruddin Ajmal termed it 'unfortunate'.
Ajmal, who is a leading Muslim politician of the state and president of the state Jamiat Ulama, said the central unit of the organization had already decided to move the Supreme Court against the Allahabad court's verdict.
"It's against the constitutional rights of the people of this country. Besides the Jamiat Ulama, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has also decided to move the Supreme Court against the high court's verdict. We will fight it," Ajmal said in a statement on Saturday.
Allahabad high court had called the Islamic practice of divorcing a woman by saying the word 'talaq' three successive times 'unconstitutional' and called it a violation of the rights of Muslim women on Thursday.
The verdict, however, has been welcomed by many in the state, especially organizations working for the uplift of Muslim women. Assam has one of the highest population of Muslims in the country.
"As a progressive Muslim who believes in equality for all, I strongly think clerics need to stress more on modern scientific education for children and youngsters rather than cling on to an archaic system which goes against the very essence of a beautiful religion. I welcome the observation made by the Allahabad high court on triple talaq and I feel this is a major step towards preserving the sanctity of marriage," said Tinat Atifa Masood, vice-chairperson of the minority department of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee.