Indian Muslims try to end “talaaq” divorce

(RNS) Muslims in India have found themselves divided over ending a traditional Islamic practice that allows a man to divorce his wife by simply uttering the word “talaaq” three times.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board, considered India’s most authoritative body on Muslim personal law, has launched a campaign to discourage “triple talaaq” in one sitting.

Conservative Islamic countries like Pakistan, Turkey, Tunisia and Indonesia shelved the practice long ago. The practice is contained in Sharia, an Islamic code of laws used by Muslims in some countries.

According to Sharia, talaaq should be pronounced in three sittings, over three months between three menstrual cycles of the woman. But often in India, it is pronounced in one sitting across the table, over the phone or in written form.