Thread by @amjadmsaleem

Today I’ve been invited to attend two webinars from Sri Lanka on the proposed #MMDA reforms which are being seen as a challenge to religious freedoms. there are strong emotions on both sides of this argument but there has to be representation of both sides of the argument (1)

The two #mmda webinars are all male panels which I find bizarre, because if the discussions are around reforms to marriage laws and involves women, why are there no women on the panels?It’s unacceptable to not have people who are directly affected by the reforms on the panel (2)

This is basic community engagement. And for God’s sake this is the 21st century. To not have women on a panel discussion on the #mmda reforms even if they share the opposite views really shows where people’s thoughts on the reforms actually lie (3)

There are many that will oppose this view but in my opinion if you don’t have diverse representation and views on this vital discussion then you have already prejudiced the thinking. #mmda reforms were called not for some ‘western feminist’ ideals but to correct an injustice (4)

An injustice that robs women of their agency in taking decisions amidst some old patriarchy thinking in the misguided notion of religious ideology. There is some disingenuous process in how these narratives are being driven without a clear idea of what the solutions are

To be clear the current #mmda reform discussions should have been sorted earlier on if not for the egos of a few people who felt threatened. Had there been these changes we would not have come to the situation now of a perception of total removal which challenges everyone (6)

How this argument has descended to simply “defending polygamy to avoid affairs” is just insulting to everyone. The concept of sanctity of marriage in the eyes of God & the completion of the half of faith that requires a just approach is paramount

Let me also be clear that the current reform suggested by the current government is in no means to ‘rescue’ the muslim woman or provide injustice. We know the current treatment on religious freedoms of religious minorities currently.

The muslim community brought it on themselves in dealing with this earlier due to egos. #wherearethewomen? currently shows that no lessons have been learnt

and due to pride and stubbornness without an understanding of the Maqasid of the shariah, these muslims leaders have failed to be inclusive

There is also a lot of muddle and misinformation about this whether it is repealed or cancelled or anything. Lot of this is lost in the dark waters.

A lot of this misinformation is also spread by those who have the most to lose in terms of power and position. We need to take them to task and hold them accountable to what they are saying

It’s completely farcical about how the arguments against the #mmda reforms gloss over agency and human dignity.

Solutions need to involve women because they are currently at the most risk of losing out. Justice is the number one aspect of the shariah not following an ideology or complicity in the abuse of the qazi courts.

I’ve heard talk about following the “Shafi’” madhab and not ‘mixing’ Madhabs yet we are happy to mix madhabs when it comes to islamic finance because let me tell you that islamic finance thinking comes more out of the Maliki and Hanafi madhab and this is the maqasid

So whilst the same leaders are ok to use a different madhab for islamic finance in Sri Lanka they are not ok with looking at another madhab for mmda to bring about justice for the wronged?