1. Election Scenario and Future of India

General elections for the 16^th Lok Sabha are in their final stage and now the attention of Indian citizens is focused on the formation of the government at the centre. The results of recent elections and the formation of the government at the centre is of great importance and will have far reaching impacts on the future of the country.

Indian Muslims who account for one sixth of India’s populations did their best to use their votes for justice, democracy and protection of human rights. Other democratic forces of the country also tried their best to contain the power of communal forces.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind feels that in future also unity and cooperation of all those who stand for democracy and justice must continue. Besides this, the Muslims must strengthen unity among their ranks and continue the struggle for the country’s progress, continuation of peace and amity and realizing of their rights.

In this respect, the Muslims must be conscious of their status, strengthen their ranks and play their constructive role in the progress of the country. In the near future, the process of elections will be completed but the struggle for justice, democracy and protection of rights must continue. In this respect, Muslims must join hands with other justice loving forces.

2. Interference in Muslim Personal Law

Regarding the compulsory marriage registration proposal of Delhi Government, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind wants to reiterate that All India Muslim Personal Law Board, the representative body of Indian Muslims on such issues, has cleared its stand that in principle it is not against registration of marriages when its objective is to preserve the records. However, making registration compulsory is not appropriate because this will add an unnecessary condition for solemnising marriage. Moreover, in a country like India, it will create unnecessary administrative and legal complications.

Therefore, providing evidence of Nikah as per the laws of Islamic Shariat should be sufficient. Similarly, in the marriage (Nikah) form for Muslims, two witnesses and Mehar should also be mentioned.

Moreover, the government should accept the Nikah records maintained by Qazis and managements of mosques. This system is already in practice in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Assam, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

The recent Supreme Court order whereby it upheld the right of divorced Muslim woman to get maintenance from her ex-husband even after Iddat and such other orders of the past keep open the door of interference in the Muslim Personal Law. The government should give attention to resolving this issue and accept the demands of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board.

3. The continued persecution of Islamists in Egypt

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind is seriously concerned at the revival of Pharaohnic traditions of brutality and injustice in Egypt, the largest and most important country of the Arab World. The most renowned Islamic organization of the Muslim World – Muslim Brotherhood, (Ikhwanul Muslimoon) is continuously being subjected to atrocities. Particularly in the last 60 years of dictatorial regimes, this organization has suffered persecution and atrocities. Recently, first 529 people were awarded death sentences – later on sentences of 482 of them were commuted to life sentences. On 28 April 2014, further 683 other people were awarded death sentence. The whole civilized world is utterly surprised and gravely concerned at the grim situation and injustices in Egypt.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind strongly condemns these punishments and urges the civilized nations of the world to take effective steps to check atrocities and state-terrorism in Egypt. Moreover, it is also the responsibility of the United Nations and international human rights organizations to prevent Egypt from committing these brutal acts. Mere condemnation and expression of concern are not enough.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind wants to remind those Arab rulers who are supporting the present dictators of Egypt to fear Almighty Allah and try to stop the Egyptian regime from committing brutalities and anti-Islam activities, rather than helping them. Supporting such tyrants may invite the wrath of Allah and it is tantamount to annihilation of Islam.

The present rulers of Egypt must remember that the people of the country tolerated the 60 years long tyrannical rule under duress. Its further continuation will lead the nation to unrest, instability and destruction. It is in the interest of Egypt and its present rulers that they restore democracy, lift restrictions on Muslim Brotherhood, restore civil freedoms and desist from blocking the path of Islam.