ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books In Defence of Islamic Laws Memorandum on Hijab and Succession May it please Your Excellency, On behalf of our various Muslim communities and organizations, we take the liberty of making this submission for Your Excellency's kind consideration. In this submission we are confining ourselves to two matters which have been agitating our minds since long.

They are: Hijab for Muslim girls in educational institutions and Islamic laws pertaining to Will and Inheritance? Your Excellency! We all are citizens of a free country, and we have given ourselves a Constitution which, inter alia, guarantees freedoms of worship, religion, association and expression.

We particularly refer to the Articles 18(1), 19(1) (2) and 20(1) of the Constitution which are as follows: 18(1) Without prejudice to expression the laws of the land, every person has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and to seek, receive and impart or disseminate information and ideas through any media regardless of national frontiers and also has the right of freedom from interference with his communication.

19(1) every person has the right to the freedom of thought or conscience, belief or faith, and choice in matters of religion, including the freedom to change his religion or faith. (2) Without prejudice to the relevant laws of the United Republic the profession of religion, worship and propagation of religion shall be free and a private affair of an individual; and the affairs and management of religious bodies shall not be part of the activities of the state authority.

20(1) Every person is entitled to freedom, subject to the laws of the land, to freely and peaceably assemble, associate and cooperate with other persons, express views publicly, and more specially to form or join associations or organizations formed for the purpose of preserving or furthering his beliefs or interests or any other interests.

Allah has said in the Qur'an, His last word: "And I have not created jinn and men except that they should serve Me." (Surah 51, verse 56) All Muslims right from the beginning agree that the word "li ya 'budun " which is derived from 'ibadah, and is translated here as "serve", means total obedience. Your Excellency! No body can be more aware than your good self that "ibadah " in Islam is not merely a set of some rituals to be performed at certain times or days.

It encompasses a Muslim's whole life.