MUMBAI -- Scholars and clergymen from different Muslim sections, under the banner of All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, on Monday registered their protest against the Law Commission's consultation on triple talaq and the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
Recently, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), while announcing the decision to boycott the Law Commission's consultation, had criticised the Narendra Modi government for allegedly trying to divert attention from its "failures" by raising the issue of UCC.
The meeting in Mumbai was chaired by Maulana Sayed Mohamed Khalid Ashraf, the president of Daruloom Mohamdiya.
Prominent among those who attended the meeting were All India Ulema Council president Maulana Zaherudin Khan, Mushawarat president Naveed Hamid and general secretary Mujtaba Farooq, All India Muslim Personal Law Board executive committee member Maulana Sayed Athar Ali, All India Jamiat Islami vice president Maulana Nusrat, internationally-famous Haji Ali Dargah's Imam Maulana Mohd Islam, noted Shia scholar Maulana Asgar Imam Salfi (Ahlehadis) Maulana Asgar Haideri and others.
"Any interference in Muslim Personal Law will not be tolerated. Any efforts to impose a Common Civil Code in the name of social reform and gender justice will prove counter- productive," they said in a joint statement.
"The government should respect this position of Muslims instead of conspiring to put an end to it. The government cannot force Muslims to follow other communities in issues related to personal laws as it would amount to an infringement of their fundamental rights.
"Those clamouring against triple talaq and demanding a ban on polygamy are a minuscule minority and are not representative of the Indian Muslim community," said Maulana Sayed Mohamed Khalid Ashraf.
All India Ulema Council president Maulana Zaherudin Khan said the move of banning triple talaq is a conspiracy to impose a Uniform Civil Code.
"We will boycott this questionnaire. No Muslim will respond to it because it is misleading and deceitful. The Uniform Civil Code is divisive and will lead to social unrest," he said.
All India Ulema Association president Maulana Sayed Athar Ali said the government should not interfere in the belief and religion of any citizen.
Muslims consider divorce, polygamy and other personal laws as an intrinsic part of their religion and are hence obliged to follow the Sharia in those matters, he said.
Refreshing Green Tea Drink Recipes
Berry Smoothie(01 of06)
Open Image ModalIngredients: 1 cup of green tea (cooled)¼ cup low-fat yoghurt¼ cup mixed frozen berries (raspberries, blueberries, mulberry, blackberry)Method:Blend all ingredients in a blender till smooth. Serve in a short glass with a straw and a few chopped berries.Prep time: 5-7 minutesServes 2 (credit:Lipton)
Hot Tea Cider(02 of06)
Open Image ModalIngredients:1 cup water1 cup apple juice1 cinnamon stick2 star anise2 cloves2 tea bags (green tea)2 lemon slicesMethod:Add water, apple juice, cinnamon stick, star aniseand cloves to a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Steep green tea bags in the mixture for 2 minutes. Serve warm in tea cups and garnish with lemon slices.Prep time: 5 minutesServes 2 (credit:Lipton)
Green Tea Mojito(03 of06)
Open Image ModalIngredients:½ teaspoon honey¼ cucumber (small dice)1 lemon (cut into 4 wedges)4-5 fresh mint leavescrushed ice1 cup of green tea (cooled)soda to topMethod:In a tall glass, add honey, cucumber, lemon and mint. Fill the glass half way with crushed ice and pour the cooled green tea over it. Top with chilled soda. Serve with a straw.Prep time: 5 minutesServes 1 (credit:Lipton)
Lemon And Raw Mango Granita(04 of06)
Open Image ModalIngredients:1 large or 2 medium raw mangoes2 cups of green tea (cooled)½ tsp roasted cumin powderFew drops of Tabasco sauce1 cup crushed iceMethod:Boil the raw mango in water till soft (about 10 minutes); remove skin and keep aside to cool. Once cooled, the mango is de-seeded, cut into chunks and the pit is discarded. Add all ingredients to blender and blend till smooth. Serve in a margarita glass, and garnish with a slice of raw mango on the rim.Prep time: 15 minutesServes 2 (credit:Lipton)
Fruit Tea Popsicles(05 of06)
Open Image ModalIngredients:1 cup of green tea (cooled)30 ml orange juice30 ml pineapple juice10 ml lemon juice¼ cup of chopped assorted seasonal fruits (grapes, plum, orange, mango, kiwi, strawberry)Method:Mix all ingredients, pour into popsicle moulds and freeze for a few hours. Alternatively this fruity mix can just be served in a tall glass with ice as a drink.Prep time: 10 minutes (plus freezing time)Serves 1 (credit:Lipton)
Pomegranate Marteani(06 of06)
Open Image ModalIngredients:2 tablespoons fresh pomegranate seeds10 ml lemon juice5-6 ginger juliennesIce cubes1 cup green tea (cooled)60 ml pomegranate juice1 sprig of tulsi for garnishMethod:In a cocktail shaker, muddle pomegranate seeds, lemon juice and ginger. Fill the shaker with ice, and add the green tea, pomegranate juice and honey. Shake well and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with tulsi leaf.Prep time: 5 minutesServes 2