Family law rejection increases

Article by- Suad Hamada (Women Gateway)

The implementation of the family law takes on step forward to be followed with ten backward. Conservative scholars with men-oriented thoughts from both sects stand as the main challenge of turning the law into reality.

Activists were overjoyed of the cabinet announcement of the referring of the 27-year in the waiting family law to the parliament. The happiness last only for one day as Shiite religious leaders through Al Wefaq bloc as the largest opposition bloc in the parliament and Sunni salafist religious figures through MP Ibrahim Bosundal denounced the bill. The rage was more shown in the statement of Al Wefaq that had politicalise the matter and considers the referring of the bill as usual action of the government to control the freedom of legislators.

After the heated statements between those with or against the law, His Majesty the King chose to deliver his speech to mark the National Day and His Accession to the throne at the Supreme Council for Woman as indication of the importance of females in reaching out to development goals. His Majesty King Hamad's calls advocating a national consensus to pass the draft to family stability. His calling was appreciated by many, especially women societies but the rejection of the conservatives remains unaffected.

Conservatives fight for constitutional assurances, ensuring lawmakers couldn’t have the power to amend any of the law’s clauses as they all are dealing with Islamic regulations. The government’s ongoing assurances that the law was drafted by scholars from both sects and wouldn’t clash with Islamic principles failed to convince conservative out of fear that in the future liberal lawmakers might propose anti-Islamic amendments similar to any other law.
The government with its superiority attitude would push forward a family law that doesn’t meet the expectations and needs of citizens, women activist Afaf Al Jamri predicted.

She said that the government was keen to implement the family law, but the one drafted and would be discussed by the parliament soon would generate anger in society but it would be forced on people similar to many legislations.
"We are with the law as it would save women many troubles at Shariah Court, but it should be draft by the concern Shiite and Sunni religious leaders to win trust by common men," Al Jamri said.  "From all legislations, the family law should be implemented after giving the required assurance that lawmakers wouldn't make changes to it, as after all it will contain clauses related to Shariah."

She said that the law alone wouldn't improve situations as they were great needs to start massive reforms to the judiciary system, especially Shariah courts and the selection procedures of judges.
"Not all are supporting the law as, the Shiite Scholars Council and some Sunni scholars such as Dr Naji Al Arabi opposes it," she said. "Those who are rejecting the law have powers and influences on the public, therefore the government should win their approval to come with a law that supported by all."

Al Jamri said that women empowerment and the needs of females were second priorities these days because of the political disturbances and distrust of the government by most people.  

The President of the Women Union Mariam Al Ruwai said that the law wouldn’t eliminate all marital problems but could reduce them. She urged conservatives to avoid politicalising the matter and consider the need of women, especially those being humiliated at Shariah Courts. The law would deal with marital cases of marriage, divorce, custody, inheritances and kinships.