Islam stands for justice: Muslim MPs’ MMDA proposals must be rejected

A group of 158 civil society and community leaders and individuals have issued the following statement condemning the position taken by a majority of Muslim MPs on the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) of Sri Lanka. Following is their statement. 

We, as Muslims of Sri Lanka, condemn the positions forwarded by the Muslim Members of Parliament (MPs), (except three MPs), in a letter dated 8 June 2023 to the Minister of Justice, completely undermining reforms to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) of Sri Lanka. 

We are extremely disappointed with the backward positions taken by the Muslim MP signatories in this document. These positions go against the principles of kindness, compassion and peace encapsulated in the Shari'ah. They also go against building a Sri Lankan Muslim identity that upholds the Sri Lankan Constitution and represents the enlightened thinking of lslam across the Muslim world. 

The document signifies the following:

1. Refusing to legally address child marriage 

2. Agreeing to women's signature on marriage documents and thereafter denying validity to the signature by making it mandatory that a male guardian sign as well 

3. Refusing to genuinely address harmful effects of polygamy 

4. Excluding Muslim women from the office of Marriage Registrars and Quazis 

5. Denying equal procedure in divorce for women 

Denying Mat'aa (alimony), matrimonial property rights in divorce 

7. Enforcing divisions and hierarchies among Muslims in Sri Lanka based on Sect and Madhab and failing to recognise that Islam is a religion of equals 

8. Insist on retaining the Quazi system and Quazi appointments within the full control of the Muslim political and religious elite and reject legal recognition of clear appointment criteria and procedures. 

We recognise that the Muslim communities of Sri Lanka, especially the Muslim women and women victims of the MMDA, have worked long and hard to bring to light the deep injustice, discrimination and harm caused under the current MMDA. The lack of reform in all these decades has affected generations of Muslim communities. 

We are appalled that Muslim MPs who previously endorsed progressive decisions on MMDA reform have completely reversed their position through this document. This conduct dismisses the plight of the victims who continue to share at great risk their pain and mistreatment under the law. These proposals are a reflection of exclusively male led community groups that have repeatedly undermined MMDA reform. It only signals political expediency and not long term development of the Muslim society in Sri Lanka.

We denounce the attempt by Muslim MPs to thwart the law-making attempts during past decades to bring much needed reforms. The recommendations sideline the considered proposals to the Ministry of Justice which had Muslim women also representing their views.

We urge the Muslim MPs who signed this document to reconsider their decision, withdraw their signatures and constructively engage with the reforms moving forward. We urge these MPs to provide leadership in publicly communicating that reforms are for the benefit of the community, particularly the most vulnerable. The Muslim community deserves genuine leadership, solutions and redress; we ask that you act accordingly. 

We urge the Minister of Justice and the Government of Sri Lanka to reject the MPs’ proposals and move forward with the much needed reforms to the MMDA.

We look forward to swift positive steps from the representatives of the people on MMDA reforms. 

Endorsed by: 

1. Deshabandu Jezima Ismail, Co-founder Muslim Women's Research and Action Forum (MWRAF) 

2. Prof. A. H. Sheriffdeen, Emeritus Professor of Surgery, University of Colombo 

3. Prof. M.A. Nuhman 

4. Prof. Naazima Kamardeen, Professor of Commercial Law, University of Colombo 

5. Justice Saleem Marsoof, PC. 

6. Dr. Ameer Ali 

7. Dr. Ameer Zainudeen, Consultant Chemical Engineer (retd), former member of Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) 

8. Dr Aysha Ziauddin, MRCOG MRCGP Family Medicine Physician 

9. Dr. Farah Mihlar 

10. Dr. Maleeha Ifthy 

11. Dr. Rauff Zain (Ph.D) Director, Centre for Development Studies 

12. Dr. Zulfiqar Ismail, College teacher/ Instructor/ Director of Muslim Women’s Research and Action Forum (MWRAF) 

13. M.Y. Minnathul Suheera, Senior Lecturer at South Eastern University 

14. Ferial Ashraff, former Cabinet Minister 

15. Razik Zarook, President's Counsel 

16. Razmara Abdeen, Senior Attorney-at-Law 

17. Abdur Rahuman, Founder Chairman of BCAS Campus 

18. Ashroff Omar, Brandix 

19. Hanif Yusoof, Entrepreneur 

20. Murtaza Esufally, Co- Founder Learn4LifeLanka 

21. Nawaz Rajabdeen, President, Confederation of Micro, Small & Medium Industries 

22. A. C. Fathima Husna, Attorney-at-Law 

23. Aboosalih Uwais, Attorney-at-Law 

24. Amra Ismail, Attorney at Law 

25. Azad Mustaffa, Attorney-at-Law 

26. Fathima Majitha, Attorney-at-Law and Writer 

27. Fazla Fazuldeen, Attorney-at-Law 

28. Fazmin Ahmed, Attorney at Law 

29. Haniffa Ramsiya, Attorney at Law 

30. Hasanah Cegu Isadeen, Attorney-at-Law 

31. Mahbooba Rifaideen, Attorney-at-Law 

32. Nabeela Raji, Attorney-at-law 

33. Nadhiha Abbas, Attorney-at-Law 

34. Rehab Mahamoor, Attorney-at-Law 

35. Roshan Aboosally Mohamed, Attorney-at-Law 

36. S.F.M Zavahir, Attorney at Law, Notary Public and Justice of Peace 

37. Sabra Zahid, Attorney at Law 

38. Sadiyya Thasi Hassan, Attorney-at-law 

39. Sainul Abdeen Kifsiya Banu, Attorney-at-Law 

40. Sarah Nada, Attorney-at-Law 

41. Shammarah Ismath, Attorney-at-Law 

42. Thahira Cader, Attorney-at-Law 

43. Usman Anwer, Attorney at Law 

44. Zulaiha Sulaiman, Attorney-at-Law 

45. Faizun Zackariya, Co Founder, Muslim Women’s Research and Action Forum (MWRAF) 

46. Anberiya Haniffa, Development Consultant, Director of MWRAF 

47. Shafinaz Hassendeen, United Nations (retd), Director of MWRAF 

48. Aneesa Firthous, President, Islamic Women’s Association for Research and Education (IWARE), Batticaloa 

49. Hyshyama Hamin, Co-Founder of Muslim Personal Law Reform Action Group (MPLRAG) 

50. K.Nihal Ahamed, Director, Human Elevation Organization(HEO), Ampara 

51. Asiff Hussein, Journalist and Vice President, Outreach Centre for Islamic Studies 

52. A. Mohamed Ashfaque, Filmmaker and Researcher 

53. Aarah Ahamed, Marketing Coordinator 

54. Abdul Azeez Mohamed Nizardeen, Freelance Journalist 

55. Adel Hashim, CEO, iCON Insurance Brokers Ltd 

56. Adheeb Anwar 

57. Amal Mohamed, Teacher 

58. Amana Zahid, Law student 

59. Amani Najumudeen, Student 

60. Amani Raji, Legal Intern 

61. Ameena Hussein, Writer 

62. Ameena Ziauddin, Deputy Managing Director, Norfolk Foods 

63.Ammaarah Nilafdeen, Independent Researcher 

64. Amna Rifky, Product Manager 

65. Amra Bhutto, Student 

66. Ann Jabbar, MWRAF 

67. Aqilah Nikhat Nleem, Early Childhood Educator 

68. Arkam Zahid, Finance professional 

69. Asma Edris 

70. Azra Jafferjee, Economist 

71. Cegu Abdul Cadir, Accountant 

72. Dinah Markar, Retired Teacher 

73. Fairooza Gaffar, Educator 

74. Farahana Zain, Educator 

75. Fareena Salih, Student Support Coordinator, Oxford Brookes University 

76. Fathima Rasmina Ihram, Vernathee Women's Movement 

77. Fawzul Himaya Hareed, Communications Specialist 

78. Florine Marzook, Independent Researcher, Activist 

79. Hafsah Muheed, Gender Equality Advocate 

80. Hajra Hussein, Primary School teacher 

81. Haseef Kalam, Implementation Consultant 

82. Hazeera Zavahir, Principal, Kandy International School/ Retired Principal Peradeniya Training College 

83. Hilmy Ahamed, Young Asia Television 

84. Honeida Packeer 

85. Imaan Mohamed, Communications and Engagement Associate 

86. Iman Saleem, Writer 

87. Issath Rehana Mohamed Azeem (Anar) 

88. Jariya Sameem, Vernathee Women's Movement. 

89. Jemhuthnisha Masooth, Former member of Urban Council 

90. K. M. M. Nawaz, Civil Society activist and former Director of Secretariat for Muslims 

91. Kamel Asmy Mohamed Shabeer, Journalist 

92. Khadeeja Firaz, Consultant 

93. Leila Udayar, MWRAF 

94. M. A. C. M. Jawahir, Director, Harmony Centre, Kattankudy 

95. M. C. Foumila, Counselling Officer, DS office Sainthamaruthu 

96. M. H . Shara, Operational Manager at Xmerce 

97. M. I. S. Jahitha, President, "Menik" Women Society, Kattakudy 

98. M. I. Uthma Lebbe 

99. M.A. Zafar Ahmed, Aeronautical Information Management Officer 

100. M.H. Jiffriya, Teacher 

101. M.S. Sammila, Vernathee Women's Movement 

102. Mariam Azwer, Journalist & Researcher 

103. Maryam Fahim, HR Professional 

104. Mazeena Ilyas, MWRAF 

105. Megara Tegal, Researcher 

106. Mizly Zahir-Rifkey, Business Intelligence Analyst 

107. Mufliha Mahroof, Legal Consultant 

108. Muheed ur Rahman, Journalist 

109. Munza Mushtaq, Journalist 

110. Muqaddasa Wahid, Journalist 

111. Mutiara Tegal, Chartered Architect 

112. Nabeela Iqbal, Activist 

113. Nadia Ismail, Activist 

114. Nadha Hassen, PhD candidate 

115. Najath K. L., YouTuber 

116. Naleem Salih, Retired University Lecturer 

117. Nasreen Abdul, Accountant 

118. Nazar Shaffee, Group CFO/Director 

119. Nihara Lafir, IWARE 

120. Niroza Hussein, Accountant 

121. Nisha Najumudeen, Chartered professional 

122. Nuzrath Hidaya, Accountant 

123. Omar Rajarathnam, Media Development Consultant 

124. Parveen Muhammad, Communication Officer 

125. Ramzeen Azeez, Senior Assistant Airport Manager (retd) 

126. Raviya Careem 

127. Razfi Halith, Analyst 

128. Rifa Muhammed Musthafa, Secretary, ADLR 

129. Rikaza Hassan, Centre for Journalism & Education 

130. Romola Rassool, Director, Post Graduate Institute of English 

131. S. H. Imthiyas 

132. S. Thasthageer, Rtd. Food Drugs Inspector 

133. S. Zarina Nawaz, Befriender at Sri Lanka Sumithrayo 

134. Sahul Hameed Firthous, Teacher 

135. Sakina Mansoorally, Student 

136. Samiha Muhsin, Administrative Coordinator 

137. Shahdia Jamaldeen, Chartered Architect 

138. Shamzy Jauffer, Senior Analyst at Quality Assurance 

139. Shanaz Mohideen, Accountant 

140. Silma Ahamed, Young Asia Television 

141. Sheroon Shouketh, Assistant Manager, Social Capital, Corporate Human Resources, Hela Apparel Holdings 

142. Shifa Najumudeen, Legal Advisor 

143. Shifana Niyas, PhD student, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland 

144. Sithy Sahabdeen 

145. Sithy Zareena Razeen, Civil Engineer 

146. Suhaina Mohideen, Software Engineer 

147. Sumaiya Frahath, Psychology and Counseling Intern 

148. Sumaiya Pallak, Activist and Researcher 

149. Thaimi Mohamed, Sr. Project Manager 

150. Thasneema Dahlan 

151. Tinaz Amit, Public Relations Manager/ Writer 

152. U.L. Hafeela, MWRAF 

153. Ummul Zahid 

154. Y. Rinoza, Women’s Rights Activist 

155. Zahrah Rizwan, Feminist Researcher 

156. Zainab Ibrahim, Researcher 

157. Zaneera Rahim, Airline industry professional 

158. Zeenath Hidaya, IT professional / Education Consultant