A community awareness program was organized by the Socio-Reforms Society and addressed by Indian legal expert Osman Shaheed and social activist Aleem Khan Falaki on the issue of the rising numbers of divorce cases in society.

Speakers reviewed the status of the real Islamic guidance, present norms and the Indian constitution on divorce rules.

Shaheed expressed deep concern at the present lawlessness among Muslims in the matters of separation (khula) and divorce, saying that Muslim lawyers in the courts deliberately misquote the Qur’an to win cases of divorce.

All present charters of national and international humanitarian institutions are based on the Qur’an. He quoted several examples from the Prophet's life on how he treated his wives.

Shaheed said that a solution to solving cases of divorce and separation could be by establishing an arbitration office. He said that according to the Indian Constitution, the two parties can appoint a person of their choice known as an “arbitrator” who would be responsible for mediating between them.

Falaki shed light on Islamic jurisdiction in matters of human rights, women’s rights and social justice. He also touched upon men’s rights to divorce verbally, the actual meaning of divorce and separation and the different kinds of divorce in Islam. Falaki emphasized the need for men and women to take equal responsibility and the rights of women to be treated as human beings.

Falaki pointed out that the current Muslim Personal Laws in the Indian Constitution give the man the upper hand with regards to divorce resulting in the marginalization of the female.

Among the key speakers was Muslehuddin Ahmed of King Abdul Aziz University who introduced Osman Shaheed and highlighted his contribution to the legal welfare of the Indian Muslim community in Hyderabad.