We are aghast at the recently revealed submissions attributed to the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulema (ACJU) with regard to reforming the Muslim Marriages and Divorce Act (MMDA). This Act promulgated in 1951 has colonial roots and is a combination of Islamic law and local culture. Due to its detrimental impact on Muslim women and girls,... Continue Reading →
Download for FAQ's on Minimum Age of Marriage in Sinhala What is the minimum age of marriage in Sri Lanka? The minimum age of marriage in Sri Lanka is 18 years for all citizens except Muslims. In 1995 the General Marriage Registration Ordinance of 1907 (GMRO or general law) and the Kandyan Marriage and Divorce... Continue Reading →
Download UPDATED Women's Demands on MMDA Reforms Download Muslim Women's Demands in Sinhala Download Muslim Women's Demands in Tamil
We the undersigned find the recent statements of the Chairperson of the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU), that reform of the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) is not needed, to be unacceptable. It is patently clear that the ACJU has contributed to the 8-year delay in the reform process despite the desperate need for... Continue Reading →
DOWNLOAD: (Tamil) Statement urging State Accountability on MMDA Reforms அகில இலங்கை ஜம்மியதுல் உலமா சபையின் (ACJU) தலைவரினால் அண்மையில் வெளியிடப்பட்டுள்ள, “முஸ்லிம் விவாக மற்றும் விவாகரத்து சட்டத்;தில் திருத்தங்கள் தேவையற்றன” என பொருள்படும் கூற்றுக்கள் ஏற்றுக் கொள்ளப்பட முடியாதவை என கீழே ஒப்பமிட்டுள்ள நாங்கள் அனைவரும் காண்கிறோம். இவ் விவாக மற்றும், விவாகரத்துச் சட்டத் திருத்தமானது இன்றியமையாத தேவையாக இருக்கும் இக்காலகட்டத்தில் இச்சீர்திருத்தத்துக்கான செயல்முறையினை 8 வருடங்களாக இழுத்தடிப்புச் செய்ய ACJU பங்களித்துள்ளது என்பது தௌ;ளத்... Continue Reading →
Related articles and videos in the months of Jan - March 2017 MARCH 2017 March 28th - Women’s Groups Outraged By Statement On Muslim Marriage - http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2017/03/26/womens-groups-outraged-by-statement-on-muslim-marriage/ March 24th - Islamic cleric's antipathy to marriage law reform irks women http://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2017/mar/24/islamic-clerics-antipathy-to-marriage-law-reform-irks-women-1585160.html March 24th - ACJU statement draws flak - https://ceylontoday.lk/print20170101CT20170331.php?id=17773 March 24th - அடையாளம், கலாசாரம், பால் நிலை சமத்துவம், மனித உரிமைகள் - “முஸ்லிம் தனியாள் சட்டத்தைத் திருத்துவதில்... Continue Reading →
Download for FAQ's on MMDA in Sinhala FAQ’s about Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) and reforms 1. What is the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA)? The 1907 Sri Lankan (General) Marriage Registration Ordinance (GMRO) is applicable to all citizens of the country with the exception of Muslims who marry within faith. Two communities –... Continue Reading →
Members of the Muslim Personal Law (MPL) Reform Committee: Justice Saleem Marsoof, Ms. Dilhara Amerasinghe, Justice Abdus.W.A. Salam. Hon. Mohamed Mackie, Mr. Shibly Aziz, Mr. Faisz Musthapha, Professor Sharya Scharenguivel, Dr. M.A.M. Shukri, Ash-Sheik Mohomead Magdoom Ahmad Mubarak, Ash-Sheik M.I.M Rizwe Mufthi, Deshabandu Mrs. Jezima Ismail, Mrs. Safana Gul Begum, Mrs. Fazlet Shahabdeen, Mr Razmara Abdeen, Mr.... Continue Reading →
On February 20th, representatives from Muslim Personal Law Reform Action Group (MPLRAG) made statements to the UN CEDAW Committee at the 66th session reviewing Sri Lanka's status on women's rights issues. Points included: Calling for Sri Lankan government to uphold responsibility to reform Muslim Personal Law (MMDA), taking into account the practical lived realities of Sri Lankan... Continue Reading →
