Enact MMDA prior to prez poll: Musthapha

By Ajith Siriwardana 

SLFP MP Faiszer Musthapha said yesterday the government should present the draft of the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) in Parliament and get it enacted before the forthcoming presidential election. 

He told a news conference that civil society activists, the Muslim community and leaders of other religions arrived at an agreement to amend MMDA. 

“There was a lengthy discussion on amending MMDA. Civil society activists, the Muslim community and leaders of other religions have reached a consensus on the matter. A proposal to amend MMDA was approved by the Cabinet in August. The government has thus far failed to present the draft of the Act in Parliament. We made a request to the Muslim Affairs Minister to look into the matter and expedite the process. There has been injustice meted out to Muslim women due to this Act. We will support it even while remaining in the opposition. It will be unjust by Muslim women if this Act was not presented in Parliament before the presidential election,” he said. 

There was a lengthy discussion on amending MMDA. Civil society activists, the Muslim community and leaders of other religions have reached a consensus on the matter. A proposal to amend MMDA was approved by the Cabinet in August