The announcement of Maulana Fazlur Rehman to protest against the Child Marriage Law project has caused a generalized online discussion.
President Asif Ali Zardari signed on Friday the bill of child marriage restriction of the territory of the capital of Islamabad, establishing the minimum age for marriage at age 18.
The new legislation criminalizes the solemnization of marriages where the child is a minor.
In response, the chief of Jamiat Ulema-E-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Maulana Fazlur Rehman, announced on Saturday a national protest against the legislation proposed by the government aimed at restricting children’s marriages, arguing that the bill contradicts Islamic teachings and threatens Pakistan’s religious identity.
Many users criticized the measure, questioning why such a position was being taken on a problem on child protection.
Numerous users criticized religious leaders for opposing a law destined to protect minors. A user commented that these groups have never protested child abuse, but are enraged by the Child Marriage Law.
READ MORE: Na passes a bill that criminalizes child marriage
Photo: Screengrab
Photo: Screengrab
Others emphasized the importance of confronting religious conservatives who are using religion to justify children’s marriages, warning that lack of resistance only emboldened such points of view.
Several voices on social networks requested that the counterprotetes organized by the rational and progressive segments of society face the protesters who oppose the bill.
Photo: Screengrab
Users argued that defending the rights of children should be a non -negotiable priority and express strong support for the new law, highlighting that early marriage leads to serious health, psychological and social consequences for boys, especially girls.
READ MORE: Children’s marriages plague impoverished girls
According to the new law that prohibited the minor marriage of children equally, the offenders face up to one year in prison and a fine of RS100,000, while a man over 18 who marries a minor girl can face rigorous imprisonment of up to three years. The courts are also empowered to intervene and protect the identities of those who report these cases.
Despite the clear intention of the bill to safeguard the children of exploitation, he has faced the fierce opposition of religious political parties and the Islamic Ideology Council (CII).
The Pakistan Human Rights Commission (HRCP) strongly criticized the ICI for raising objections to the recently approved draft Law on the Restriction of Children’s Marriage Restrictions of Islamabad Territory, to measure a serious attempt to hinder the vital legislation of child protection.
READ MORE: CII takes the exception to the Child Marriage Law Project
Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, Fazl said the proposed law is being influenced by foreign agendas. “Pakistan’s identity is Islam, and that identity is under threat,” he said, warning that the bill undermines the country’s central values.
Fazl accused the government of writing legislation based on the demands of international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United Nations (UN), instead of adhering to Islamic principles.
“The UN position is being used to approve laws against early age marriages. The president also refuses to sign the draft Law on Religious Seminars,” he added.
The Jui-F leader criticized the law proposed by violating the Qur’an and Sunnah, stating that such movements weaken democratic and unnoticly strengthening the extremist narratives.
“Democracy is losing its case, and such actions are enhancing the stories of armed groups,” Fazl warned.
