Muslim women's law board rejects fatwa on Imrana

Reflecting a divide within the community over the future of a woman raped by her father-in-law, the All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board rejected an edict by an Islamic seminary asking her to separate from her husband.

A panchayat organised by the AIMWPLB rejected the fatwa issued by Darul-uloom Deoband in the Imrana case and said it would make efforts to ensure that those who pronounced the 'wrong' verdict in the case be tried under Indian Penal Code.

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"The panchayat has outrightly rejected the fatwa issued by Darul-uloom and has stated that as per the Quran she was halal for her husband and had the right to live with her husband and children," AIMWPLB president Shaista Amber told reporters after the meeting.

In sharp contrast, All-India Muslim Personal Law Board president Syed Mohammed Rabey Al Hasani Nadvi on Wednesday supported the Darul Uloom, ruling even as it called for severest punishment against the accused.

Rejecting AIMPLB's views on the issue, Amber said it has been based on the "wrong interpretation" of the Quran and
was "unacceptable."

Asserting that AIMWPLB would extend all possible help to the 28-yearl old victim, who has five children, Amber said she would appeal against those who pronounced the "wrong judgement" in the Imrana case and ensure that they were punished under the IPC.