Desk Report: The Bangladesh Muslim Nikah Registrar Welfare Association has placed a six-point demand before the government, calling for the protection of the existing jurisdiction of Nikah registrars, permanent appointments to vacant posts, direct appointment of qualified children of deceased or retired registrars, and an increase in the age limit for the profession to 75.

The association also demanded necessary legal protection for Nikah registrars and urged the government to reconsider provisions that, according to the organisation, are creating difficulties in the discharge of their professional responsibilities.
The demands were raised at a human chain and rally held in the capital on Tuesday (August 11). Following the programme, leaders of the association met the Law Minister and submitted a memorandum outlining their six-point demands. According to the association, the minister heard their concerns attentively and received the memorandum.
The leaders said Muslim Nikah registrars across the country have long been performing important religious, social and legal responsibilities by registering marriages and divorces. Through their registration activities, they said, the rights of citizens within the family are protected while the country`s official marriage and divorce registration system also remains functional.
However, the registrars claimed that they are currently facing a number of administrative and professional difficulties. Among their major concerns are the reduction of their jurisdiction, complications surrounding appointments to vacant posts, disruption of continuity in appointments, the existing age limit, educational qualifications and inadequate legal protection.
Under their six-point proposal, the association called for the full preservation of the existing jurisdiction of Nikah registrars under the 2009 rules, arguing that their jurisdiction should not be curtailed or altered without reasonable grounds.
They also demanded the quick appointment of permanent Nikah registrars to all vacant posts across the country in accordance with the existing rules.
Another major demand is the direct appointment of a qualified child of a Nikah registrar to a vacant post created by the death or retirement of the incumbent, provided that the candidate meets the prescribed qualifications.
The association further demanded that the valid appointments of Nikah registrars who are also engaged in teaching and are performing their duties in accordance with the rules be maintained.
It also called for the upper age limit for Nikah registrars to be increased to 75 years.
The final demand includes the cancellation of the mobile court provision applicable to Nikah registrars, along with necessary legal safeguards. The association also demanded that the educational qualification for the profession be set at Kamil pass, considering the religious and legal importance of marriage and divorce registration.
Association leaders said implementation of the demands would increase professional stability among Nikah registrars and make marriage and divorce registration services more organised, accessible and effective.
They urged the authorities to consider the public interest and humanitarian aspects of their demands and take prompt steps to implement them.
The human chain and rally was presided over by Alhaj Principal Md Nazrul Islam Talukder, president of the Bangladesh Muslim Nikah Registrar Welfare Association.
Among those who addressed the programme were Alhaj Principal Dr Golam Kibria, Alhaj Mawlana Md Alamgir Hossain, Alhaj Kazi Mawlana Md Shafi Ullah, Alhaj Mawlana Md Ashraf Uddin Bhuiyan Sayem, Mawlana Md Azizur Rahman Suman, Mawlana Md Mofizul Islam, Alhaj Mawlana Md Mahbubur Rahman, Alhaj Mawlana Nurul Amin, Advocate Mawlana Shaheen Parvez, Mawlana Md Rubel, Mawlana Md Billal Hossain, Mawlana Shah Mahmud Reza, Mawlana Abu Hanif and Mawlana Nurul Islam Chowdhury.
Leaders and general secretaries of the association from different districts also attended the programme and voiced their support for the demands.
After the rally, the association`s leaders met the Law Minister and formally submitted their memorandum, reiterating their call for early government action on the six-point demands.