Ulema body too can't change Shariat: Rabe

LUCKNOW: The issue of talaq will be taken up during discussion on islah-e-moashra (reform in society) at the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board meeting at Kanpur on July 4, informed Board president Maulana Rabe Hasan Nadvi.
The other issues afflicting Muslim society to be discussed at the meeting under islah-e-moashra are property, succession and nikah, Maulana Rabe said.A simplified nikahnama'' will be introduced during the meeting which, Maulana Rabe hoped, would be accepted by all sects of Islam. If accepted, it could help solve marital discords to some extent, he thinks.
Reacting to Ulema Council warning on Wednesday, Maulana Rabe said that the Board is not going to interpret Shariat laws ‘wrongly'' as far as talaq is concerned.
"Nobody, neither Personal Law Board nor Ulema Council can change Shariat laws," insisted Maulana Rabe. In fact if the Shariat laws are implemented in letter and spirit there is no need for any change, he added.
When his attention was drawn to VHP vice-president Giriraj Kishore''s statement on temple construction after a year, Maulana Rabe wondered how, because the Central government has the land and Supreme Court stay is in place. "In any case the government and SC need to take connizance of the statement.
As far as the Board is concerned, it has nothing to do with it." On Puri Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati''s renewed effort for talks, Maulana Rabe said, "We are not against talks. But as the whole issue has seen so many twists and turns, one wonders if the talks could be of much help. If at all the leaders of both communities reach an agreement, the public may not accept it. The court verdict is the only solution, Maulana Rabe said.