Fatwa issued againt sex determination tests

In a move that could have far-reaching consequences, two Muslim religious institutions in Lucknow have issued a fatwa (edict) against sex determination tests and female foeticide.

The two institutions Darul-Uloom Nadwatul Ulama and Firangi Mahal have said in separate fatwas that carrying out sex determination tests with the intention of identifying the sex of the unborn child and then aborting the female foetus was un-Islamic.

Maulana Masood Hasan Hasni of Darul Iftah in Nadwa says in his fatwa, "Islam gives equal status to the male and the female child and women are to be treated with respect and honour. Sex determination tests are, therefore against the principles of Islam.

"Children are gifts of Allah and abortion amounts to murder. If any Muslim resorts to sex determination tests then he is a sinner according to Islam and even the doctor who carries out these tests is a sinner."

Similarly, Maulana Khalid Rashid Nizamuddin Firangi Mahali of Firangi Mahal says "female foeticide is an offence. Daughters should be brought up with love and greater care because they grow up to be mothers. Islam advocates equality and one who abets the murder of the unborn girl child is an offender".

The fatwa by these two institutions was issued after a newspaper report said that sex determination tests were getting increasingly popular among Muslims in many Uttar Pradesh towns and were also leading to abortion of the female foetus.

The fatwa assumes significance since it comes almost simultaneously with the All India Muslim Personal Law Board's proposal to encourage Muslims to restrict their family size to two children.

However, the fatwa does not seem to find favour with Muslim doctors for obvious reasons. Dr Ayesha Khan, a leading gynaecologist, says that the fatwa ignores the changing times.

"It is no longer possible for couple to have eight or 10 children and fend for them. Most young couples prefer two kids a son and a daughter and if they choose to plan their family, religion should not interfere in the matter" says the doctor.

Another leading Muslim doctor who runs a nursing home and offers the sex determination facilities as well seemed equally upset at the fatwa.

"It is better not to bring a child into this world rather to let it be born and then leave it to die. Last year there were two cases in my nursing home where the mothers disappeared after delivery, leaving the girl child. If the parents do not want a girl child, it is better that they do not let it be born", said the doctor.