ACJU concerned over Cabinet decision to amend MMDA

All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU), the religious body representing Sri Lankan Muslims expressed concerns about the recent Cabinet decision to amend the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) without taking into consideration the opinions given by Islamic religious and civil organizations.

While agreeing that certain reforms are needed in terms of the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, ACJU noted that the grievances of Muslim women should be addressed through these reforms.

“Since this matter is concerning the Religion followed by the Muslims, our stance is that the appropriate reforms are required to be made considering the fundamental teachings of the religion, and upon due consultation of the concerned stakeholders by taking their views into consideration,” a statement issued by Ash-Shaikh M. Arkam Nooramith, General Secretary of ACJU.

Accordingly, the ACJU has presented its submissions on the necessary reforms in the prevalent Muslim Personal Laws on various occasions.

ACJU also requested the government and the Minister of Justice, to reevaluate the above decisions made by the Cabinet of Ministers, by adhering to an inclusive decision-making process, while giving" due consideration to the fundamentals of the religion with regard to this matter and honoring the rights of all citizens of the country, in order to ensure that no one is served injustice and the multicultural diversity of our nation is upheld,"