The All India Muslim WomenÂ’s Personal Law Board (AIMWPLB) has criticised the stance of Kamal Farooqi of the Muslim Personal Law Board on the fate of rape victim Imrana as unjust, insensitive and brutal, a press release said on Sunday. Parveen Abdi, the boardÂ’s founder secretary general, stated that Kamal FarooqiÂ’s view that Imrana could no longer live with her husband since she had been raped by her father-in-law, was devoid of the principal of natural justice where only the perpetrator of a crime is punished and not the victim. Abdi said that the very fact being established that Imrana was raped by her father-in-law determined her status as a victim who needs to be compensated and sympathised with and not condemned and punished.
Kamal Farooqi’s view on Imrana is based on ill informed, misconceived and gender biased interpretation of Sharia law where a women victim of a crime is punished, Abdi said. She wondered why Farooqi had not suggested the stoning to death of Imrana’s father-in-law – the punishment for adultery and rape. “Imrana needs sympathy and support from civil society for her rehabilitation and restoration to normal life with her husband and five children,” the release stated, adding that “antiquated and savage” interpretations of Sharia made Islamic law look regressive and anti-women. Sharia is based on justice, gender justice and fairness, Abdi added. |