Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) has called for further review and amendments to the recently passed Property Transfer (Amendment) Act, saying it could conflict with Islamic Shariah provisions on inheritance.
IAB Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim announced rallies and processions in all divisional cities on September 11 to protest the passage of the law.
He made the announcement at a press conference at the IAB auditorium in Purana Paltan, Dhaka, on Thursday.
In a written statement, Faizul Karim said Shariah contains detailed provisions governing property transfer and inheritance, warning that the new law could allow property to be registered in children’s names while bypassing Shariah rules.
He acknowledged social problems such as parents being deprived of property or evicted from their homes, but said Shariah cannot be disregarded to address such issues.
“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.
Faizul Karim urged the government to conduct a further review of the law and consult Islamic scholars and legal experts before making necessary amendments.
During the question-and-answer session, he said: “I follow Shariah, and you must ensure that I have the opportunity to follow Shariah.”
Asked about women journalists attending IAB programs, he said: “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, Faizul Karim 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 problems such as rising commodity prices, unemployment, gas and power shortages, extortion and traffic congestion.
He said the situation was disappointing.
