The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The government yesterday formed a high-powered committee, comprising country's eminent Islamic scholars, for an urgent review of the National Women Development Policy 2008, as it caused a little commotion.

An official announcement said the decision was taken in a meeting between Religious Affairs Adviser AF Hasan Ariff and ulema at the Islamic Foundation.

Home Affairs Adviser MA Matin, Communications Adviser Major General (retd) Golam Quader, LGRD Adviser Anwarul Iqbal, Home Secretary Abdul Karim and DG of Islamic Foundation Fazlur Rahman, among others, attended the meeting.

Acting Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Mufti Mohammad Nuruddin has been made convenor of the committee, which will submit its report within 21 days, recommending amendment and changes to the policy that envisages equal inheritance for gender parity.

The review panel will "identify inconsistencies in the policy as per Islamic rules and suggest taking steps", said the release.

The meeting was told that "the government will not formulate any law that goes against Quran and Sunnah".

Misunderstanding, however, was created in this matter despite clearing official position. "The committee has been formed for dispelling all kinds of misunderstanding," the meeting was told.

The government hoped that all misunderstanding would be removed through the formation of the committee.