Presiding over the Inaugural Function of the Seminar, AMU Vice Chancellor, Lt General Zameer Uddin Shah (Veteran) said that since India is a secular country, where people follow various faiths and personal laws. “Therefore, following a personal law of a particular religion or the common civil law in certain matters like marriages and divorces is entirely personal to any citizen,” said the Vice Chancellor.
He added that India does not force upon constitutional laws over personal laws. General Shah further said that education can empower any down trodden community belonging to any religious faith, geographical location, caste and creed.
Maulana Shaukat Ali Qasmi from Deoband, who attended the Seminar as the key-speaker pointed out that India is secular democracy and a Common-Civil-Code is against the ethos of the country.
He urged people, who are demanding Common-Civil-Code to do their research on Islam and the Holy Quran. “If Muslim Personal Law is modified, it will divert Muslims from the principles of Islam,” said Maulana Qasmi.
The Chief Guest, Professor Shamim A Ansari, Dean, Faculty of Social Science urged Muslims to consider views of the Ulema (Islamic scholars) in terms religious duties and solutions to problems related to Muslim marriages, divorces and property distribution in Muslim families among other issues. He added that the solutions to these problems have been explained in religious texts.
Professor Hafiz M Iliyas Khan, Chairperson, Department of Psychology pointed said that Indian Constitution guarantees freedom to follow any religion. He added that the Citizens of India from various religious backgrounds have full faith in the Indian Constitution, which is enough to safeguard various personal laws.
The Director of the Seminar, Professor Abdul Khalique, Dean, Faculty of Theology said that all communities want to live in peace and harmony, while safe guarding their personal laws, rituals and practices. He added that AMU is a platform, from where secular voices and opinions against possible modifications in personal laws will reach the nation.
Professor Towqueer Alam, Chairman, Department of Sunni Theology, who is also the Coordinator of the Seminar said that it is imperative that people around the world understand the principles of Islam and the religious law derived from the Holy Quran to avoid misunderstandings.
Professor S Ali Mohammad Naqvi, Chairman, Department of Shia Theology said that the main issues concerning Muslims today are of education, health, political participation and social upliftment. “However, Muslims are often seen entangled in non-issues, which never benefit the community,” observed Prof Naqvi.Nafis Ahmad conducted the programme, while Prof Naqvi proposed the vote of thanks.
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