Fazl announces nationwide protest against underage marriage law
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has announced a nationwide protest campaign against the recently proposed legislation on underage marriage, declaring the bill contrary to Islamic teachings.
He announced this while addressing an important press conference in Peshawar on Sunday, Aaj News reported.
The JUI-F chief said the Islamic identity of the country was being deliberately targeted and eroded.
'We are still passing through an era of subjugation,' he remarked, alleging that legislation was being made in violation of the Quran and Sunnah, which the JUI-F would never accept.
The announcement comes days after President Asif Ali Zardari signed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill into law, criminalizing marriages of individuals under 18 years of age.
The bill, passed by both the National Assembly and the Senate, was introduced by Sharmila Faruqui in the National Assembly and Sherry Rehman in the Senate.
During his presser, the JUI-F chief said that democracy had failed to protect its own space, and laws were being enacted under the pretext of FATF and IMF pressures.
'Today, the Constitution is being trampled upon in Pakistan, and we reject these government actions. A robust movement will be launched against them,' he said.
He criticised the proposed law on underage marriage, stating that it goes against Islamic principles. 'The condition for marriage in Islam is not age, but physical maturity (bulugh).
The JUI-F completely rejects this bill,' he said, adding that the Council of Islamic Ideology had also dismissed the bill.
'No legislation contrary to the Quran and Sunnah will be accepted. Our stance is clear and unwavering,' he reiterated.
The JUI-F leader announced a large public gathering in Hazara Division on June 29, where the party will unveil its future course of action.
He also commented on global affairs, saying a new conflict has emerged post-9/11.
Expressing concern over regional tensions, he said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'recklessness' had heightened the threat of conflict.
'India's aggression poses a real danger. Pakistan and Afghanistan are indispensable to each other,' he said.
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