Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) has demanded further review and amendments to the recently passed Property Transfer (Amendment) Act, saying the law could conflict with Islamic Shariah provisions on inheritance.
IAB Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim announced protest rallies and processions in all divisional cities on September 11 against the passage of the law. He made the announcement today at a press conference at the IAB auditorium in Purana Paltan, Dhaka.
In a written statement, Faizul Karim said Shariah contains detailed provisions on property transfer and inheritance, and warned that the new law could allow property to be designated in children’s names while bypassing Shariah rules. He acknowledged social problems such as depriving parents of property or evicting them from homes but insisted Shariah cannot be disregarded to resolve them.
He urged the government to conduct a further review of the law and consult Islamic scholars and legal experts.
“Review the law further. Consult Islamic scholars and legal experts. Bring necessary amendments. But Shariah cannot be disregarded under any circumstances in the name of resolving a problem,” he said.
During the question and answer session, Faizul Karim said, “I follow Shariah, and you must ensure that I have the opportunity to follow Shariah.”
Asked about women journalists attending IAB programmes, he replied, “They should come observing purdah.” On participating in talk shows with women journalists, he said, “If it goes against Shariah, it is not right.”
Elaborating on women’s participation in journalism, he said, “If any of my sisters come, they should come in accordance with Shariah. We are not stopping them. If any of my sisters works as a journalist, we are not stopping her. I am saying this beforehand: Shariah is not meant to create problems; it is meant to solve problems. If my sister works as a journalist, she will do so; but in accordance with Shariah.”
Faizul Karim also alleged that the government was focusing on enacting laws that go against Shariah instead of addressing real-life problems such as rising commodity prices, unemployment, gas and power shortages, extortion and traffic congestion. He said the situation was disappointing.
