PLEASE STAND UP TO PROTECT MUSLIM PERSONAL LAW AND MMDA. 
Not Repeal! NO Discrimination! Do not take away the right of Muslim Personal Laws.

To: H.E. The President of Sri Lanka, the  Honourable Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers.

You must be aware that the Cabinet of Ministers had approved a Cabinet paper submitted by the Hon. Minister of Justice Mr. Ali Sabry calling for reforms to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA). The Legal Draftsman Office has now been asked to draft the Bill relating to the reforms.

The Cabinet had also, recently approved permitting Muslims to marry under the General Marriage Registration Ordinance. This is contrary to the age old practice of a Muslim Nikah as per the teachings of Islam and marriage under the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA). This Cabinet paper was also submitted by the Hon. Minister of Justice.

Apparently, the reason given is that there have been requests from some Muslim ladies to allow Muslims to marry under the General Marriage Registration Ordinance (GMRO).

It is of great concern to the community that the draft Bill once passed will abolish polygamy (a Quranic injunction) and the Quazi court system along with several other surprises awaiting the Muslim community. The Muslims feel that there is a gradual and consistent effort to weaken the Muslim Personal Laws which the Muslims of this country have been enjoying for centuries. The Muslims will be reduced to second class citizens by this denial of our right to practice our religious beliefs.

The Muslim Civil Society including the All Ceylon Jamaitul Ulema (ACJU), The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL), The National Shoora Council (NSC), The Young Men’s Muslim Organisation (YMMA) and prominent Muslim leaders have come under the leadership of President’s Counsel Mr. Faisz Musthapha to address our concerns to Your Excellency, the Honourable Prime Minister and the Honourable members of the Cabinet.

It is noteworthy to mention that neither the present Committee for reforms nor any of the previous Committees appointed by successive governments had ever even suggested the repeal of the MMDA, the abolition of the Quasi court system or the abolition of polygyny.

There is an absolute need for reforms of the Quazi courts and to upgrade the Quasi system. The Muslim community will be more than willing to work with the Justice Ministry and the Judicial Service Commission to address this.

The Muslim community is immensely worried and in a state of anxiety at these developments and is raising its voice against what it feels as unjust and discriminatory.

“PLEASE REVOKE THE ILL INFORMED CABINET DECISIONS AND HELP US PROTECT OUR MUSLIM PERSONAL LAWS."