The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a seminar here on Sunday urged the ulema to raise their voice for establishing the rights of woman in the society. They said the ulema should also engage themselves in mobilising the people's opinion for eliminating pre-Islamic practices like dowry from the society.

"There are many pre-Islamic culture and social practices still exist in the society due to ignorance," said the noted Islamic scholar Maulana Abul Kalam Azad at the seminar on "The role of Islam in resisting violence against women", at the Jatiya Press Club auditorium.

Maulana Azad, who chaired the seminar, said Islam has awarded women with their right to property, right to inheritance and dower (a security either in cash or kind to be handed over to the bride by the groom).

"But due to prevalence of pre-Islamic practices here, the husbands are being treated like a god and the rights to property of women are denied frequently. The wives are being treated as 'Charan dasis'," he said adding none of these are either Islamic or legal.

Organised by Masjid Council, the seminar was addressed, among others, by former secretary and noted Islamic scholar Shah Abdul Hannan, Professor, Department of Political Science, Dhaka University Dr. UAB Razia Akhter Banoo, News Editor of BSS, Rasheda Amin, Associate Professor of National University Dr Mohammad Abu Yousuf and Lecturer of Darul Ihsan University Nasima Hasan.

Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies Department of National University Dr. Mohammad Manzur-e-Elahi presented the keynote paper while. Shah Abdul Hannan said it is true that Islam has given equal honour both to a man and to a woman. But it is also true that women in many cases are not getting their full rights in a country where 90 percent of the population are Muslim.

Dr Abu Yusuf urged the ulema for delivering Khutba highlighting the Islamic tenets on violence against woman.