50 fall victim to fatwa in four months

A total of 50 people of 29 families fell victim to fatwa across the country from January to April this year, a report of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad revealed yesterday.

The report based on newspaper clippings also showed that four more families of Bogra district are waiting to comply with the fatwa on Hilla marriage.

Mahila Parishad expressed concern over the increasing number of fatwa even in the twenty first century.

While presenting a written statement at a press conference at the National Press Club in the city, Masuda Rehana Begum, secretary of Central Legal Aid Sub Committee of Mahila Parishad, observed that religious superstitions and fundamentalism remain as major barriers to establish equal rights of women.

Masuda pointed out that the fatwa is delivered centring love affair, marriage, and divorce, and common forms of fatwa are Hilla marriage, throwing stones and denial of conducting rituals after death.

Although fatwa was declared illegal in the High Court in 2001, the declaration is yet to be tabled as bill in the parliament, she mentioned.

The speakers called for political will and demanded formulation of strict laws against fatwa.

Mahila Parishad General Secretary Ayesha Khanom, Vice Presidents Hasna Banu and Bela Nabi, Deputy General Secretary Maleka Banu and other leaders were also present.