Hyderabad: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is implementing many reforms in the country. Recently, Saudi Arabia had lifted the ban on women driving a car, unveiled cinema, allowed women to enter the stadium. However, Indian clerics do not consider it as Islamic reform.
According to the report published in Sunday Guardian Live, Dr Tahir Mahmood, former chairman of the National Minorities Commission and member of the Law Commission of India talking about the reforms in Saudi Arabia, told that the steps taken are not reformation of Islam. However, he welcomed the removal of the ban on women driving a car.
Mr. Mahmood further said that there are many schools of thoughts in Islam and KSA was following Hanabali. He further said that in India there is no Hanabali believer.
Salim Engineer, General Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami-Hind, told that reforms are done to the laws made by human beings whereas “Deen” needs no reforms. Commenting on the reforms taking place in Saudi Arabia, he said it is due to internal matters, nowhere related to reformation of Islam.
Talking about the system of government in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Salim told that Islam does not support family rule or dictatorship. Although the Prince took steps against corrupt officials, he also consolidated powers in his hands.
Former Union Cabinet Minister, Mr. Arif Mohammad Khan said that in Islam there is no place for getting things done forcefully. He also said that the steps being taken in Saudi Arabia are not at all reforms. Criticizing Saudis, Mr. Arif said that they were not telling real Islam. “Islam should be practised and it does not require any reform”, he added.
Mr. Arif also linked the sociological changes with the current economic situation in Saudi Arabia. He said that due to wealth, many Saudi citizens studied abroad and now, ruler have to provide job opportunities to them.
Many clerics in India consider that the reform being taken in Saudi Arabia as the need of the hour rather than the reformation of Islam. It is also viewed as regime’s strategy to stay in power.