Kazi Al-Haj Twaka Musliar Begins DK Tour to Study Dowry Menace
by Haneef Puttur
Pics by Mangalore Media Center
Daijiworld Media Network—Bantwal (RD/CN)
Bantwal, May 6: Kazi Al-Haj Twaka Musliar of Mangalore began a tour across Dakshina Kannada (DK) district on Thursday May 6, to study the evils of the dowry menace plaguing the Muslim community.
The tour is the Kazi’s own initiative to gain first hand information on the living condition of Muslim brethren residing in many villages en route Bantwal–Guruvayanakere–Uppinangady. He paid visits to many families and heard to their grievances and suffering.
This kind of tour by a religious head was unheard of in the community. Meanwhile, the visit by the Kazi has created a ray of hope in the community since such kind of tours by religious heads existed in the times of Prophet Mohammed and Khalifa’s rule in Arabia.
‘Akrandana’, a documentary produced by Jamiat-ul-Falah and directed by Mangalore Media Center four years ago, had a great impact on the Muslim community and prompted them to take bold steps towards economic empowerment which has become a significant task indeed.
The visit of the Kazi has highlighted his social concern of the community as their religious head who has the distinct responsibility of leading the community in the doctrine of Islam.
“The community youth and Jamat committees should be inspired to stage a struggle to alleviate the dowry menace burdened with poverty and helplessness”, urged the Kazi.
He further said that physical and mental abuse and swindling money in the guise of dowry is a crime. The maligning of rights of the poor and hapless women of the community is against Islam.
Meanwhile, Kazi also realized the apathy of many Jamat committees in not responding favourably to the need of women in the community, after listening to their agony during his visit to many families.
The Kazi also expressed deep concern over the dowry demands by the community youth as he was deeply moved by a family who had two women who became mentally ill after being deserted by their husbands many years ago.
He said that there were many instances of different forms of abuse meted out to unfortunate women who are languishing at home without any support.
Dubai Hidayah Foundation president Zaheer Puttur and Haneef Puttur of Mangalore Media Center organized the Kazi’s visit along with Talent Research Foundation.
Talent Research Foundation president Riyaz Kannur, advisor Rafiq Master, and Santwana organization president Sayyed were present on the occasion.
The Kazi also visited the Jamat committee of Uppinangady and appealed to the brethren to take an anti-dowry stance.
“The committee members acknowledged that it will come into effect from Friday May 7”, informed Kempi Mustafa, president of the committee.