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Islamic parities believe that Bouteflika bows to external pressures
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By
Omima Ahmad, IOL Correspondent
ALGIERS,
September 27 (IslamOnline.net) – Islamic parities and figures in
Algeria have set up a committee to counter proposed amendments to the
Muslim country’s family law, which they saw as contravening Shari’ah
(Islamic law).
The
self-styled National Committee for Protecting Family urged in a
statement, a copy of which was sent to IslamOnline.net Sunday, September
26, the Algerians to “take an action to defend their families and
thwart the exported amendments”.
The
statement said, however, that the Islamic powers in the country do
support change but for the better.
“But
we reject tailored and selective amendments imposed from high
authorities and we call for a public referendum,” read the statement.
The
statement was signed by an elite of Muslim figures in Algeria, including
Sheikh Abdul Rahman Shaiban, chief of Algeria’s Muslim Scholars
Association, and the chief of the Ibadiya Council.
An
Algerian Justice Ministry’s committee has put forward several
amendments to the 1984-enacted law.
The
amendments, to be put to vote in the parliament, mainly call for ending
the role of a wali (a woman’s guardian) in concluding marriage
contracts and setting a prior judicial consent as a condition for
polygamy.
According
to Shari'ah, in order to conclude her marriage, a Muslim woman should
have a guardian, given that women are subject to the desires of the
ill-hearted and evil opportunists.
A
guardian should be a relative Muslim male and is usually the father.
Next to the father comes the closest male relative.
The
order, according to many is: father, paternal grandfather, son,
grandson, full brother, paternal half-brother, and paternal uncle.
Positive
The
Algerian cabinet did not tackle the package of amendments during its
Saturday session, which is seen by analysts as a positive sign.
Soliman
Shinin, member of the Shura Council (the upper house of parliament, said
the move indicated that the government could withdraw its controversial
proposals.
President
Abdelaziz Bouteflika will listen to the voice of the public at the end
of the day, which is against the reform bill, observers believe.
Islamic
parties, such as the Peace Movement Society and National Reform, have rejected
the amendments, arguing that the Constitution stipulated that Islam was
the official religion of the state.
They
believe the amendments came in response to a growing “foreign
current” in the country meant to strip society of its Arab and Islamic
identity and to impose European secular values.
Followers
of the Ibadiya, a moderate Shiite madhhab of Kharijite sect, also
slammed the amendments, saying the Ibadi principles deem a marriage
without a wali an “adultery”.
On
July 3, reports said the government is to scarp a law article banning
the import
of alcohol to meet a requirement for joining the World Trade
Organization (WTO).
