Author:
Publication: Special Broadcasting
Service
Date: March 30, 2005
URL: http://www9.sbs.com.au/theworldnews/region.php?id=108359®ion=5
More than a thousand Ugandan Muslims
have marched from Kampala's main mosque to parliament in protest at proposed
marriage law reforms.
Uganda's parliament is currently
debating a domestic relations bill which sets out changes that will allow
women equal rights in marriage, separation and divorce.
A key reform relates to the practise
of polygamy, which is recognised under Islamic Sharia law.
According to the Koran, a husband
may take up to four wives, so long as he can provide for all of them equally.
But a new requirement, if passed
by parliament, will stipulate that the approval of a man's first wife is
needed before he can marry again.
The bill also includes changes that
will make dowry payments, or the so called 'bride-price', optional, and
prevent girls younger than 18 being married off.
Muslim leaders have denounced the
proposals saying they discriminate against followers of Islam, who make
up 12 percent of the country's 26 million people.
A 20-page letter delivered by protesters
to the speaker of Uganda's parliament was obtained by the Agence France
Presse (AFP) agency.
"There is no reason to copy from
Christian or common law marriages," the letter reportedly read.
"All this is to impose Christian
concepts and procedures upon non-Christians."
Among those women who joined the
march, Fatuma Kasedde told AFP that "Muslim women are not oppressed as
the bill implies."
"Sharia guides families and we have
never lodged any complaint about the way we live."
However, women's groups and human
rights organisations have welcomed the reforms.
Last month, the Uganda Human Rights
Commission asked the parliament to outlaw polygamy, saying it undermined
the dignity of women and the welfare of the family.
