The Women’s Branch of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has outright rejected the recommendations made by the Women’s Reform Commission, calling them “contrary to Islamic values.”
In a statement issued on April 23 (Wednesday), Noorunnisa Siddika, Secretary of the Women’s Jamaat, said that the recommendations included certain proposals that conflict with the aspirations and beliefs of the country’s Muslim majority women. She accused the proposals of violating clear teachings of the Qur’an and Hadith and of undermining societal values.
One of the most objectionable recommendations, according to her, was the proposal to recognize sex work as a legitimate profession, which she stated is degrading to women and could contribute to the spread of immorality in society.
Additionally, she criticized the suggestion of introducing a uniform family law for women from all religions, regarding it as direct disregard for religious beliefs and cultural practices. She emphasized that Islam advocates for “just rights” rather than “equal rights” for women.
Noorunnisa Siddika also raised concerns about the composition of the commission, stating that it did not include any women who adhere to Islamic thought or possess Islamic knowledge. She called for the rejection of this report and urged the formation of a new one that includes women with an Islamic perspective.
This statement has brought the ongoing debate on women’s rights and religious values in the country into sharper focus, sparking further discussion on how to balance modern women’s rights with religious beliefs in society.
