BHOPAL, 30 April 2005 — The All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) yesterday rejected allegations that the proposed model “nikahnama” (marriage contract) would hurt the rights of women.
“The model nikahnama will prove to be extremely beneficial for Muslims because of its reformative character,” AIMPLB General Secretary Syed Nizamuddin told reporters here on the sidelines of a three-day meeting of the board beginning here today.
Nizamuddin said the provisions in the nikahnama would prove a milestone in protecting women’s rights.
Asked why some women’s organizations had called for strengthening the rights of women in the contract, AIMPLB Secretary Abdul Rahim Qureshi said that discussions were held with these organizations.
The draft for the nikahnama has been approved by the AIMPLB board executive and would be given a final shape during a general body meeting in the next two days.
