The problems and challenges with Sri Lanka’s Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) and Quazi court system is well known and well documented. It is undeniable common knowledge that Muslim women are the most affected by discriminatory provisions, procedures and practices of the MMDA, and the Quazi court system, since its enactment in 1951. The... Continue Reading →
Muslim Personal Law Action Group (MPLRAG) has witnessed firsthand the importance of having committed women members of parliament. Women parliamentarians appreciated the 30 year struggle of Muslim women in Sri Lanka advocating for the reform of the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA). They engaged with community-based groups and advocacy groups including MPLRAG to work... Continue Reading →
A statement in response to the Bills proposed affecting Muslim Marriage Law in Sri Lanka We are deeply disappointed that a Bill to repeal the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act of 1951 (MMDA) has been tabled in Parliament by MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana on 8th January 2020. It is claimed that the purpose of the... Continue Reading →
JOINT STATEMENT BY: Muslim Personal Law Reform Action Group (MPLRAG) and Hashtag Generation. The Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (1951) of Sri Lanka contains multiple provisions that discriminate against women. One serious discriminatory statement includes explicitly stating that only males can hold the positions of judges in Quazi courts, marriage registrars, jurors and Board of Quazi... Continue Reading →
On 17th September 2019, MPLRAG representative filed a Right to Information (RTI) request to the Ministry of Postal Services and Muslim Religious Affairs for an official copy of the joint proposal submitted by the Minister of Postal Services and Muslim Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Justice and Prison Reforms, on amendments to the Muslim... Continue Reading →
MMDA reform is progressing and the fact that the Cabinet of Ministers are engaging with the much needed for reform is a positive step. This momentum has been shadowed by the fact that the reforms proposed are not adequately addressing the issues. In the spirit of continuing to highlight the need for comprehensive and meaningful... Continue Reading →
If changes were to be made to the positions taken on reforms to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act of 1951 (MMDA) by Muslim Members of Parliament on 11th July 2019 it should have been for the betterment of Muslim women and girls. Alarmingly, MPLRAG reliably learns that the document forwarded to the Ministry of... Continue Reading →
Following MP Faiszer Musthapha’s statement on July 12, we note the increased attention that the subject of MMDA reform has received. We also note the unprecedented momentum in political will which was long needed to address the discrimination and hardship Muslim women face. According to MP Musthapha, the reforms agreed upon by Muslim politicians cover... Continue Reading →
The Muslim women in Sri Lanka have persisted with the struggle to reform MMDA for over three decades. This is despite the repeated and abject failure of the male dominated religious and political leadership within the community to address these grievances that are having serious adverse impact on the everyday lives of women and girls.... Continue Reading →
MPLRAG response to the public conversation on MMDA After the tragic and dastardly Easter Sunday attacks of April 21, Muslim Personal Law Reform Action Group (MPLRAG) issued a statement of condolence and thereafter remained silent in our advocacy for the past month in memory of those who were killed. We wanted to respect and participate... Continue Reading →
