Muslim women’s group seeks ban on oral talaq

In a move that may ruffle feathers of conservative clergy, Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) has demanded a ban on oral talaq.

Among Sunni Muslims, this form of divorce, which is effected by men unilaterally thrice pronouncing the word talaq, does not need a witness.

BMMA, which is fighting for the cause of Muslim women, claimed such talaq was unfair.

"Oral talaq grossly violates rights of women. A woman and her child suffer as they are immediately abandoned by husbands," founder-member Noorjehan Safia Niaz said.

BMMA and women affected by oral talaq will make a submission to the state government on Tuesday to help end the practice.

BMMA wants the state to ban the practice and work towards swift codification of the Islamic law.

Conservative clerics opposed the move, saying oral talaq was a part of divine laws that cannot be changed.

However, Muslim countries such as Iran, Morocco and Jordan have banned the divorce form.

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