By Gitanjali Marcelline –
Gitanjali Marcelline
An urgent need has arisen to reform Muslim Marriage & Divorce Act (MMDA) of 1951. Before I explain the reasons why, let us see how this Act came about.
Based on representations made by the Kathis Association, the government set up an all-male committee in 1939 comprising the Registrar General and Mahrooms M. I. Akbar, T. B. Jayah, A. R. A. Razik, M. C. Abdul Cader, M.I.M. Hanifa and M. S. M. Shamsudeen, to study the Sri Lanka General Marriage Ordinance of 1907, towards formulating a Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act. Certain sections of the report were included in the new Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act No. 13 of 1951, which came into operation on 1st August 1954. This effectively repealed the Sri Lanka General Marriage Ordinance of 1907.
These eminent Gentlemen (including my Great Grandfather, Dr. T. B. Jayah), were hand-picked for the job taking into consideration their vast knowledge and standing in the community. I can imagine the lengthy deliberations which would have gone into drafting the MMDA, whilst retaining some Sections from the Ordinance and incorporating new Provisions, which at the time would have been deemed necessary.
But, now, with the changing times, the need has arisen to bring about reforms to the MMDA, taking into consideration fundamental rights of girls and women, especially their right to education without being married off at an early age, their right to equal autonomy and decision-making in entering into their own marriages, divorces, the women’s and children’s right to maintenance, to name a few. This brings to mind the following quotes from the great Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai
“I raise my voice not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. We cannot succeed when half of us are held back. We call upon our sisters around the world to be brave, to embrace the strength within themselves and realize their full potential. So here I stand, one girl among many. I speak not for myself, so those without a voice can be heard. Those who have fought for their rights. Their right to be treated with dignity. Their right to equality of opportunity. Their right to be educated.”
These can only be assured by bringing in reforms to the MMDA of 1951 and incorporating the Justice and Equality component to the new one. Also, any Committee engaged in this endeavor should comprise of qualified individuals well versed on Fundamental rights and the equality component and there should 50% representation of women.
Last, but not least, the state must get involved in MMDA reforms and ensure Equality, Justice and Non-discrimination to all its citizens, including Muslim Men, Women and Children. With the constitution of Sri Lanka, in Chapter III, under Fundamental Rights, addressing the component Right to Equality 12. (1), it is its bounden duty/responsibility to assist with the MMDA reforms.
Had great grandfather been alive today (may his soul Rest In Peace), I would have been able to convince him of the need to bring in the Justice and Equality Component and reforming the MMDA towards assuring the rights of not only Muslim women and children but those of men as well. Come to think of it, this is what he would have expected me to do.
I’d like to end this note with a quote by him, which amply demonstrates this fact;
“Where the Muslims are concerned it has been the practice, in fact, it has been considered the duty of Muslims, wherever they may find themselves that they should be first and foremost in any movement that is intended to secure for the people of the country a full measure of freedom. If the fight is for full freedom the Muslim Community as far as it is concerned will be prepared to work without any safeguards because they know the spell of freedom can obliterate any differences”.
Naushad / March 22, 2017
Writer should be enlightened first,that the university students of Muslims are dominated by Muslim girls(it’s clearly shows the education opportunities are not held backed)more over ratios of child marriage among Muslims are not more than Sinhalese,(when it come to registration,it may be more)but in reality it’s more non-Muslim minors are living together,than Muslims.we are not against the MMDA amendments,but it should not be imposed on us, by some one else either non-Muslims and non practicing Muslims.(IT’S SOLELY DEPEND ON US,AND WE’VE ENOUGH INTELLECTUALS TO CARRIED OUT THE JOB). all these hues are part of anti Muslim campaign and we know how to dealt with. in-terms of western secular education system our leaders could be less educated,but we are the most educated people on earth in religious education.so get lost. we know the crocodile tears of those so called secular intellectuals(promoters of LGBT) .
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Fathima / March 22, 2017
“in reality it’s more non-Muslim minors are living together”.
I guess no one wants to talk about it since it is reducing burden on Govt, and opening up some job opportunities. Read below excerpts from The Islan:
The available statistics reveal that around 1,000 abortions are performed daily throughout the country and the annual figure is estimated around 300,000
Health Ministry’s Health Education Bureau Medical Officer Dr. Uthpala P. M. T. Amarasinghe said they were unable to arrive at an exact figure because of the manner in which those undercover clinics were operating. “The actual number could be very much higher than this.”
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K.Pillai / March 23, 2017
What is the relevance of abortions (number of) and MMDA reform?
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Fathima / March 23, 2017
K.Pillai
“in reality it’s more non-Muslim minors are living together”. And they don’t use condoms!
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Fathima / March 22, 2017
You are a frog in a deep, deep well. What does it matter if there are more Muslim female university students compared to males? Why are you pointing fingers at other people and their religions? Isn’t it bad enough that there are extremely young girls being married off in our community? That they lose the opportunity to have a childhood? To get educated? IS IT STILL IMPOSED UPON US IF MUSLIM WOMEN ASK FOR AN AMEDNDMENT IN THE MMDA TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FEMALE CHILDREN? Because I am Muslim, female, educated and am demanding that right!
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Muhandiram / March 22, 2017
I think you need experience before marriage.insert multi dimensional as well multiple abortions.
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Amarasiri / March 22, 2017
Gitanjali Marcelline
RE: The Urgent Need To Reform The Muslim Marriage & Divorce Act
“But, now, with the changing times, the need has arisen to bring about reforms to the MMDA, taking into consideration fundamental rights of girls and women, especially their right to education without being married off at an early age, their right to equal autonomy and decision-making in entering into their own marriages, divorces, the women’s and children’s right to maintenance, to name a few. This brings to mind the following quotes from the great Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai”
“Last, but not least, the state must get involved in MMDA reforms and ensure Equality, Justice and Non-discrimination to all its citizens, including Muslim Men, Women and Children. “
Thanks fir the history of MMDA.
It is about fundamental rights, and equality for all citizens.
The religious arguments put forward by the Ulama and Quazi are weak and it is to preserve their hegemony. Other Muslim countries have moved on, except the Devil Stan following Saudi Arabia, per Hadith of Najd.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadith_of_Najd
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Fareeda Cader / March 23, 2017
And Why is a Geethangalie Marceline concerned about MMDA. She obviously has gone out of the faith and trying to hang on to her grandfather’s ……
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The Oracle / March 23, 2017
Sri Lankans need to be treated with respect and dignity irrespective, of caste ,creed, religion or gender. Archaic, primitive laws have no place in a democracy . All citizens should fully enjoy the freedom and protection afforded them by the constitution of Sri Lanka .
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Aku / March 23, 2017
Come on Naushad… So guess you agree that Muslim men are greater than the women??? Or is it that the men are radically scared of their women, and thats why the Law favors men??? An article somewhere, an 80 year old Muslim man married and sexed an 8 year old and killed her in the rush too??? This is what Islam teaches?? I, as a ex muslim would prefer if the men started to wear potato sacks called burkahs instead and maybe castrate themselves in the rush too. Islam is totally biased and these Laws should be changed!!!
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Mohamed / March 22, 2017
Gitanjali Marcelline,
Appreciate your initiative and encouragement. Muslim women need such a hand and, is timely.
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fath-123 / March 22, 2017
“But, now, with the changing times, the need has arisen to bring about reforms to the MMDA, taking into consideration fundamental rights of girls and women, especially their right to education without being married off at an early age, their right to equal autonomy and decision-making in entering into their own marriages, divorces, the women’s and children’s right to maintenance, to name a few.”
This is definitely the case as the injustice to muslim women is beyond bearable! When women chose to go for divorce due to the abuse they have endured they are further disgraced and humiliated and tormented to the point of no return. I have personal experience despite being an educated woman in Quazi courts i was disgraced and humiliated and not even allowed to speak because i was a woman! I wasnt even given a chance to ask for maintenance for my children and was asked to go home and just wait and it will be given when they decide. I had to make a complaint at higher authorities because of this. I was told by the quazi domestic violence is not a reason to divorce but if my husband had not paid my Mahr money (which is an amount paid at the time of marriage which was just Rs,10,001 for me) then i can even be considered in the courts!I was told that a man has to have superiority and control and women had no right to speak and they dont give divorces to women like that. I wasnt even having any relationship with my husband for years and he wasnt paying me maintenance and i was taking care of my kids on my own with no help from him. And my husband had even told he has no interest in reconciling yet to drag the divorce to make me pay for filing for divorce. When i asked the quazi on what grounds he was dragging my divorce that to indefinitely, he said till the date my husband decides it was ok to give the divorce and he wouldn’t even give me a valid legal reason why he was dragging it indefinitely, he just asked me to get out and not waste his time. I was angry and shaken as i left.
Quazi courts were brought into existence to be non-threatening places. Now its a hellhole for women who choose to walk out of marriages and stand up for the injustice happening to them. Most of the quazis have no legal knowledge what so ever but given the place and power of the qualified judge in the civil courts. They are often Maulavis who think they still live in the stone-ages and have no respect for women and misuse this power given to them as they please. There is no woman in the quazi courts and women cannot even have legal assistance for the injustice happening to them in the courts itself over and above the injustice they have been through at home. No woman with the right state of mind especially with children will choose to go for a divorce unless her suffering is beyond bearable. Therefore the MMDA has to reform so that the suffering, the humiliation and disgrace ends with us..and justice is given and women stand a chance to stand and live with dignity and respect as human-beings and not be disgraced and beaten down by the system for choosing freedom for her and her children over abuse and suffering.
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Ahamed / March 22, 2017
Dear fath-123,
you have already given the answer in your post. Islam for sees such things and given the women right to ask for Mahr money. unfortunately it is not practices in sri lanka. so do not blame the law.
we need to solve the exact problem
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Fath-123 / March 23, 2017
Dear Ahmed..
You have not understood what I I said in my post.. the quazi said the withholding mahr money is an acceptable reason.. but a woman filing for divorce because of domestic violence is not a valid reason for divorce.. meaning a man has the right to abuse his wife but a woman has no right to stand up for herself against the abuse .. isn’t it a violation of human right?
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Azmi / March 22, 2017
Gitanjali Marcelline, You clearly state that your Great Grandfather has done a great injustice to the society by contributing to this MMDA Act ?
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Gitanjali Marcelline / March 22, 2017
No. Great Grandfather did what he did based on his convictions. I do what I do according to mine- that is, that the MMDA should change taking into consideration fundamental rights of girls and women, especially their right to education without being married off at an early age, their right to equal autonomy and decision-making in entering into their own marriages, divorces, and last but not least the women’s and children’s right to proper maintenance. Also, with regard to Polygamy, MMDA reforms must ensure that this right is not abused and the duties and responsibilities to the right are fair to the wife.
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Arun / March 22, 2017
Your great Grandfather?can you explain how?don’t make disgrace to him,by claiming so.you are not deserve to be a relative of him.
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Goraka / March 23, 2017
Dear Gitanjali, Hon. T. B. Jayah was a great man. Dropping names to push an argument is a cheap shot. When did you suddenly become concern about Muslim affairs?
Mahinda also claimed to be related to King Dudugemunu.
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Zucky Akram / March 23, 2017
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Zucky Akram / March 23, 2017
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
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Azmi / March 24, 2017
Anyway Madam, you are a Geethanjali Marcelline and has very little knowledge of the Muslim laws. By saying this, i do not condone the acts of the ACJU on this matter either.
However, you as a non-muslim have inadequate knowledge to write about the rights and duties enshrined in the Quran. Therefore, it is best you learn the Quran in total and then comment or it is best that you refrain from passing comments on topics that are foreign and irrelevant to you.
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Maghribi / March 22, 2017
A academic view of Muslim women
Interview with Prof. Ingrid Mattson: Women and men as allies
https://youtu.be/WeoxUauUbO8
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Mohamed / March 22, 2017
MR government’s stance those days on BBS is some similar to that of Yahapalanaya’s now – Inaction.
If there is pressure from respective international Human Rights body on an issue that is related to Human Rights and Child Right, government should take the lead and adhere rather than waiting for opinions of a community or other religious bodies – Because I don’t see this is an Islam / Muslim related issue
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Susiripala Withana / March 22, 2017
Sri Lankan do not want Race and Religion basis Marriage and Divorce law for different communities against democracy norms of equality for all citizens.
All races and religion must obey to common law of Divorce and marriage in our land.
That days has gone for ever.
The Muslim divorcé and marriage law must be repeal as soon as possible.
We want uniformity of common marriage and divorce law for every citizens of Sri Lankan.
Muslim are playing politics of Islam law of other countries by Gun -Rule politics of terrorism .
This way of promoting feudal laws are enjoy by Muslims community by against legal system of Island .
The Republic Constitution of Sri Lankan at any cost cannot served only for the Muslim religion extremism.
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Muhandiram / March 22, 2017
Bring Buddhist LAW,it’s better than Roman common LAW.(when Siddhartha married to his wife,she was 16). do you know?what is common LAW?even US constitutional LAW is mixed with Roman and Islamic Sharia LAW.in Texas it’s 16(legal age of marriage).
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Mohamed / March 22, 2017
Susiripala Withana,
“Muslim are playing politics of Islam law of other countries by Gun -Rule politics of terrorism .
This way of promoting feudal laws are enjoy by Muslims community by against legal system of Island”
Which country with Islamic Law rule by gun? In every country with Islamic Law, you can walk free with box full of money displayed and no one would dare to hurt you. Why not go and see in these countries women go for jogging in the middle of the night. You leave your main door open and sleep in the night, still no surprises in the morning. Let your woman stay in a queue and see the respect she gets from other males and the authority itself without bribing the peon. See the care they give in state hospitals regardless of which religion you belong to.
I am not against reforms, but the legal system of the Island has proved what? Ordinary people get punished by the system, while bigwigs get away one way or the other. What more, even with every evidence and witness the crooks get away from punishment. This legal system in good on paper but implemented one-to-one basis.
How many families and relatives of victims beg for justice in front of our own eyes? Why, the entire Tamil community itself is struggling for justice. What is the use of talking big about Island’s legal system when it is corrupted and partly crippled to the extent it can’t deliver justice equally?
Terrorism:
Every terrorism has a cause and it is a reaction (Like LTTE), Terrorism is not something that is related or tied to Islamic Law, which in fact is stronger and serving justice equally than SL’s legal system. That is the reason people have the basic freedom I gave samples above in those countries.
Ask those big talkers of freedom from Europe and US, if they would prefer to live in SL or those Muslim countries (money apart) – Answer is obviously those countries, it is because they feel safer there and the legal system can be trusted.
So please, don’t try to mix toddy and milk to invent a new flavor to compete with ‘local kasippu’ :)
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justice / March 22, 2017
Malala Yousafzai is mainly ignored, and even criticised, in Pakistan.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/malala-yousafzais-nobel-peace-prize-is-celebrated-in-the-west-and-widely-criticised-or-ignored-in-9800116.html
She faced many threats. She is now almost totally ignored by the World Muslims.
The author is a brave righteous lady to voice her concerns here in CT.
I wish her all success.
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K.Pillai / March 23, 2017
“……… Malala Yousafzai is mainly ignored, and even criticised, in Pakistan. “
Malala is not the only one.
Mohammad Abdus Salam was a major figure in 20th century theoretical physics, he shared the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physics. Abdus Salam quoted from the Koran in his acceptance speech.
He professed Ahmadi sect of Islam. At the time of his birth (29 January 1926) partition had not occurred and he was able to pursue his studies unimpeded. After the creation of Pakistan, he chose to remain there. He was the first Pakistani and first Muslim to receive a Nobel Prize in science and the second from an Islamic country to receive any Nobel Prize (after Anwar Sadat of Egypt). He died in UK on 21 November 1996.
In 1974, the Pakistan parliament made a constitutional amendment that declared Ahmadi as non-Muslims. In protest, Salam left Pakistan for London. The government made it difficult for him. Today Ahmadis are a persecuted/discriminated group. Blasphemy charges are used to hound them.
Lankan Muslims can lead the way in dragging conservative Islam into the modern world. Thank you Gitanjali for highlighting one of the principal defects.
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Sylvia Haik / March 22, 2017
Elsewhere in this journal there’s a Muslim Cleric stating words to the effect that females are not equal to males. It is because of beliefs such as this that is vehemently applied to Muslim girls that it would be best if the MMDA is eliminated all together and all Sri Lankans, whatever the religion, succumb to just one law i.e. the Sri Lankan law on marriage.
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jehan / March 22, 2017
most of the western educated writers think, they have all the answers. so they look down on any other point of view as backward. This sudden need to change the act came due to GSP. Europe with all there hypocracy wanted the act changed with acceptance of Gays in the constitution to buy garments. due to the animosity europe always has with muslims. this is a fact. read up history of crusades.
As per the writer who seem to be in a hurry to change some thing which is not broken, why now.
Muslims have problems as all communities, but when it comes to family the islamic frame work is the best.
Every individual has a place, and all views are taken, see the number of broken homes in non-muslim families due to alcholism/ and false idol worshipping belief system.
dress codes which were modest in most houses of non-muslims, now have embraced western nudity due to writers like you. propergating progress has led to incest becoming a norm. among non-muslim families. research first of the number of child pregancies among muslims and non-muslims. you will be amazed. in a marriage frame-work the family looks after, where in non-muslim families child pregnancies leads to abotion- killing of the child in the womb.
Propergating gayism also is a new thing in sri lanka- not heard of. but with western so called modernity this is a problem all faiths are having to deal with.
who is progressive a donkey who follows the western master or a free horse.
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Lankan No 03 / March 23, 2017
In the name of reform..you can not violate sacredness of texts and its law …but first of all you do not have right to speak for Islam as it stands with your appearance…first cover your head and this is not Islam. You do not need to have full face cover but at least your scarf to cover your head ..
Then you come to reformation of marriage and divorce law in.SL..
I agree that under marriage is a child abuse…it is not good for our community ..it change country to country and ..
Time to time..
But you can not have lesbianism and guys in the name of reformation.
That is what the some of you want…to change all .
It is not in the name of Islam
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Amila Wijesooriya / March 23, 2017
Gitanjali Marcelline Madam,
If you had shown same courage and be pushy with many other real burning issues of Sri Lanka, today we could have solved half the issues faced by common masses.
Did you just woke up & put some makeup and came to rescue Muslim women madam?
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Rajash / March 23, 2017
All Muslims who refuse to abide by the Sri Lankan law should go to Saudi Arabia where they can practice their Muslim law at free will.
They should be prepared to pay the price for not abiding by the Muslim law. Get beheaded in public or get stoned to death in public or get their arms chopped off
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Sinhala_Man / March 23, 2017
Thanks for more articles on what is probably a very important subject if we are to progress as a World! there must be no more exploitation of women.
On one thing only I agree with Naushad who’s made the first comment. This should (preferably) not be imposed on Muslims. O.K. then make sure that you get it done yourselves.
You are nasty, though Naushad,in trying to cloud the issue by bringing in things like LGBT. Those issues have nothing to do with what is being discussed.
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P. U. K / March 23, 2017
It’s time Muslim girls and women voice their views on these matters more often, because it they who are directly affected. Why men talk on behalf of them?
Go for a referendum among Muslim women and ask the critical questions.
In this time of the history, those advocating extremism should know that every passing day, their efforts to to restrict freedom and liberty to women, are failing.
For example, 20 years ago hard liners in Saudi never allowed women to work… now they, the women, do work. In another 20 years time, religious police will fail again… this time in their efforts to stop Saudi women from driving…
The bottom line is… there is ample proof that some Islamic ‘scholars’ violated rights of women in the recent past and continue to do so today.
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Ahamed / March 23, 2017
I want to put below question before readers … This law has been in operation in Sri lanka for so long …so who asked for any modification ….where is the initiation to “Change” this came ? who ask such change ? are they sri lankan or foreign elements ??
if they are from sri lankans, what is the percentage of people demanding this change ? can any one provide the demography of people who are asking this change …
Even lets say that there is significant percentage of muslims ask this change, is it the burning issue sri lanka faces at the time, what is the priority of this issue again all burning issues in sri lanka…
if you can find the answer to this questions you will be cleared
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Ahamed / March 23, 2017
Dear Gitanjali Marcelline,
first of all by calming that DR T.B Jaya is your great grandfather, you made me to lose the respect i had for that gentleman. first of all as per your claim, DR T.B Jaya was given opportunity to involve in this matter mainly due to he is a “MUSLIM” scholars at that time.
But it seem that you are not following the faith, then why are you getting into an issue of others. do not you have your own work.
I was surprised to see that there are so many non-Muslims friends provide the own judgement on this issue. even so many educated ones…. let me ask below questions put forward below points…
1) every religion has its own philosophy…Either non-Muslims are do not understand it or do not agree to it or mostly do not even worried to understand it …
This is a matter of one religion.. and your are trying to provide judgement with out understanding the underlying philosophy…
2) what is the effect this subject has on your own life ….how dame you all can provide your own judgement on a matter which do not have any effect on you all…. do not you all have any other work??
3) for those who say there there need to be one law needed in the country….
first of all understand what is a law…. why a law is needed …. then you will never say this ….
for your information …islamic law is made my god ..not my human … do not you see the effectiveness of man made law in sri lanka….specially in parliament….
so please mind your own business with out making trouble …
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justice / March 24, 2017
Ahamed,
Does your “god” say that men are ‘superior’ to women?
It is this artificial inequality that emancipated Muslim women like the author are fighting against.
She does not even wear the hijab or whatever.
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Dimuthu / March 23, 2017
There should be only 1law applicable to all citizens.
Why discriminate any community. If the laws of the country is not suitable to the Muslims then move on and find a suitable country.
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Marina / March 23, 2017
There is indeed an urgent need to reform these rather primitive laws, that only hurts little girls, not help them. Little children need to go through childhood, and giving little girls in marriage, when they have not developed either physically or mentally, is very harmful and could traumatize the child forever.
It is not advisable to consult, or get any input to the changes in these laws, from small minded men, whose minds are still in the dark ages, not educated enough to consider the psychological harm and physical harm giving a little girl in marriage can do. We are evolved though the years, and we do not have to follow laws that suit the stone ages, the times of Islamic wars, and old customs. Girls have a much bigger role to play in the modern world, opportunities to get a good education, work, help their parents financially, and take care of them.
The article by a writer endorsing and promoting what the civilized world would call paedophilia, is simply reprehensible, and seems to show the mind set of someone still living in the dark ages.
Any educated, decent, caring man, who has sisters, a daughter, or female relatives, will want them safeguarded against abuse and will not justify a child given in marriage,because “mentally” they are mature. They will also want them to have basic rights that girls of other religions have, so that they can cope with hardships they may face in life.
The Sri Lankan taliban should not be allowed to corrupt what is a forward thinking procedure to achieve that.
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Saleem Hammad / March 23, 2017
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Susiripala Withana / March 23, 2017
Dr Mohhammed
Look at Saudi, Egypt, Kuwait ,these millions of women are Sunni Muslim, but they are bar on women to an open their face on men in publicly..
Islamism how they treat their Mother? These are issues have be address by Islamist teachers ?
What a religion of Islam before men and women cannot talk face to face ?
This is naked fedulism? The Capitalism are more progressive than Islam fedulism
No equality before differ sex !
How can you go God without women ?
All these are nonsense of Islamism?
Firstly accepts nature of human being existence ,
If you denied that 21st century will not allow that Islam to remain in this plant?
You cannot run on human being by myth for EVER?
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Mohamed / March 23, 2017
Professor Susiripala Withana,
Looks like you’re off-roading..ha..ha
My question is, ever heard of any females citizen of those Muslim countries complaining about covering the face? They are Muslims, because they are religious and practice what is said in Islam – So they do it more than willingly. Just because you’re not a Muslim and you don’t have to practice Islam and you have a completely different culture; you see it against your personal preference – Is that a Islam’s or Muslim’s issue?
When restaurants have their own dress code for diners, shouldn’t a religion have to impose on dress codes considering what is good for the people?
So what is wrong in Muslims adhering to its Islamic rules willingly, as long as that doesn’t affect others? (Of course MMDA affects us as a nation, and that is why many moderate Muslims support its amendments)
On another note, in Buddhism also, there are 5 precepts: 1. Avoid killing or harming living beings. 2. Avoid stealing 3. Avoid sexual misconduct 4. Avoid lying 5. Avoid alcohol and other intoxicating drugs.
You being (probably) a Buddhist might know how much these precepts are followed and respected among you. And it is not my concern. But have you heard or seen a Muslim complaining a Buddhist for following his/her religion? Aren’t you ashamed that you did that?
BTW professor, do you read newspapers regularly? See how many sons raped mothers, and how many grandsons raped grandmas, brothers doing sisters and fathers doing daughter etc..etc all rubbish. And not a single incident from local Muslims or similar incidents from Muslim countries reported.
I guess you could be more productive in cleaning your own backyard – agree?
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Susiripala Withana / March 24, 2017
Dr Mohammed …comment
Are you living in another world?
One of the largest daily killing in Muslim countries in Globe?
Not single life is safe this countries for daily living ?
If you having common sense see Iraq,Libya Afgastain Pakistan Yemen ,Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi, Kuwait Bahrain and Syria ,well counted that of killing since after Arab Spring was hundred thousands of Innocent Muslims by Foreign invaders of USA, UK France, Australia and other EU countries as well as their own Islam fighters.
There is no Buddhist in those countries. Sri Lanka is most safest place in world LIVE for Muslims and Islam believers ………….?.
Why is that ,you have decided by own experiences of last 5 -Five centuries…in Island of Sri lanka….
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Mohamed / March 24, 2017
Professor Susiripala Withana,
You have very little knowledge on what Arab Spring is, and with your limitations, you only count the body- bags. Arab Spring is not a crisis, it is a revolution that started as non-violent later changed to very violent has its own positive sides, and it has proved in changing regional, international political landscape irrevocably towards positive, just as how volcanos and earthquakes help earth and soil, despite their other side.
If not a single country you mentioned above is safe for living, why does SL still keep on sending its people there for work? On the other hands, why don’t Sri Lankans who are employed in those countries don’t return immediately?
Logically speaking, why do people leave their safe heaven to violent hell as you describe? Perhaps SL Govt and people themselves think that getting killed with a bullet is better than dying on a daily basis?
I still think you could be more productive cleaning your backyard – Agree?
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Niyaz / March 24, 2017
Any comment by anybody is enough to use it against the Religion of Islam. All this stories about sex discrimination, unjust systems, orders to kill etc.etc. have been RUBBISHED by the Thousands of Educated, Mostly Women from Developed Countries Embracing this Religion after studying it in detail.After the 9/11 incident, the resultant Propaganda and the Interest in studying about it ,the New York Islamic Center recorded Thousands of Conversions. It can only have propaganda value for a short time. Then the urge to study it in detail has the counter effects. Thank You all for Trying More and More Propaganda.
For those who are Open Minded the Center of Islamic Studies on Galle Road and Dematagoda Road Centers etc etc have facilities to understand what this Religion Teaches in Detail. How different people try to give different interpretations to suit them is another matter. The latest studies are on the Original Quran Which remains untampered together with a deep understanding of the Arabic Language how it was spoken at that time.
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Abdel Rehman / March 26, 2017
Githangeli Marceline
I am wondering what was your purpose in writing this article.
Was it your intention to show what a great great women you are by referring to your great grant father .As someone referred before in his comments even Mahinda Rajapakse claimed he was related to Dutugamu
However, I can see that after birth every child will develop through different developmental stages in life in order to reach a healthy adulthood and become a mature human being. These young girls or boys need to experience and pass through these stages to reach emotional and physical maturity. If they are prevented from growing through the developmental l stages in life and married off by the parents their development as mature humans will be marred which can result not only immaturity but also psychological disorder and mentally ill. . My understanding is most of those militants and those who resort to violence and terror activities are people who have been deprived of healthy development in life. Some young people may go astray or they may become very backward by being forced into marriage at very immature age when do not understand the realities of life.
I read a t person arguing that the prophet married a young girl and therefore it is acceptable and this is a reflection of ignorance and blind faith without using their thinking ability..
I see there is truth in your writing, however, if yo could have referred to the stages of development of people from a psychological perspective your writing would have been still better. Coming from a Muslim background in my view if women are given the opportunity to gain proper education and a healthy emotional development to become independently thinkers like men without suppression their intellectual abilities are not second to that of men. I havecome acrss many women whose intlectual abilities are far better that that of men.
In my view, like other religious groups, the Muslims should also learn to adjust and develop their thinking and their belief system as realities of the world demand and unless the Muslims develop with the rest of the world and keep pace they will have to take the back seat in the world.
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Gitanjali Marcelline / March 26, 2017
Abdel Rehman,
The importance of bringing in the equality and justice component to the MMDA was what I wished to emphasize in this article and not to lay claim to fame by mentioning my great grandfather’s name. As one of the key people who drafted the MMDA, it was imperative that his name be mentioned.
Lastly I don’t consider myself great but humble, and it is with all humility and respect I ask all readers of this article to review the need to reform the MMDA.
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