Rajasthan got first Qazi women

Women can also solemnize the Nikaah. Two women, Jahan Ara and Afroz Begum, both 40 years old are the first women Qazis of Rajasthan. They are hailing from Jaipur and have completed the two-year training from Mumbai-based Darul Uloom-i-Nisawan. These female Qazis have been awarded the certificates for ‘Qaziyat’ on Friday after which they have
officially become Qazi Jahan Ara and Qazi Afroz Begum.

Jahan Ara said “I completed the course in the light of Quran, Hadith and the Indian Constitution. I learned about the rights of women, which Quran bestowed to them some 1,500 years ago. It was a challenging task for me but I passed with 69% marks." She further added that being a Qasi is a matter of pride for her.

Breaking the stereotypes in the patriarchal society, they said ‘Qaziyat’ is not just about the solemnizing Nikaah but it gives you the responsibility as well. Jahar Ara informed “A Qazi has to speak about truthfulness and rights. In Ayats of Quran, rights are clearly mentioned. We will put our efforts to ensure women get the rights related to marriages, talaq and mehar along with other issues.”

Ara elaborated about the mehar that mehar should not be less than one-year salary of bridegroom as it is a right of a woman to be financially stable. Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan even sent them for the training and concluded its national conference in Jaipur on Friday.

-Sonali