Islam lays emphasis on equal rights for women: Mirwaiz

Srinagar, Mar 21: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today said that Islam has laid great emphasis and clear guide lines on equal rights for women and treating them with respect and dignity.

According to a press release, he was addressing a religious gathering at the revered shrine of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani (Dastgeers Sahib RA) at Khaniyar on the eve of last day of Aishra-e-Rehmat (10th day of Ramadhan). The day also coincides with the death anniversary of Hazrat Khadija-tul-Kubra (RA). Mirwaiz said it is a matter of serious concern that women are still treated as “inferior and shabbily in our society in violation of Islamic teachings.” He asked women have to stand up for their rights and their rightful place as given to them by Islam.

Mirwaz said that it extremely disheartening that while “we claim to profess and practice Islam, we witness instances of domestic violence and the denial of rightful inheritance to women, practices that starkly contradict the essence of Islamic teachings.” He said that this has to change, the right to inheritance as per Islamic principles should be adhered to by all, and violence against women at home is unacceptable.