HE Council of Islamic Ideology appears to be playing a familiar tune. Following a meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, CII chairman Maulana Mohammad Khan Sheerani said that a Muslim woman cannot object to her husband`s second or subsequent marriages. He added that the relevant section of the Muslim Divorce Act, 1939, contravened Sharia hence it should be repealed. It seems that the learned doctors of religion that serve on the council have an obsession with marriage laws this was the fourth meeting this year to discuss the subject and are bent upon reversing whatever progressive legislation exists to protect women and children. For example, in May the CII had issued a statement that endorsed child marriage. As it is, due to the patriarchal, almost medieval mindsets that prevail in society, the odds are stacked against women and children in Pakistan. So when an official body makes such questionable pronouncements even in an advisory, non-binding capacity it sends all the wrong signals to society. The council, as it stands, is dominated by the chairman, who is a cleric from the far right of the conservative brand. Hence, space in the body for progressive religious voices is minimal. With society already sinking in the bog of extremism and obscurantism, will such pronouncements from an of ficial body help improve the situation? Like so many other state institutions, the CII seems to have misplaced priorities. While it does occasionally add positive input to important issues, such as calling for a ban on hate speech during Muharram and condemning the practice of declaring Muslims nonbelievers, as it did on Wednesday, at the same time the council also endorses regressive thoughts. This dichotomy should be addressed.

If the CII cannot endorse progressive religious views that help heal society`s rifts, it should be wrapped up. As it is, we have an elected body in the shape of parliament that is qualified to legislate on all issues, hence the presence of a parallel advisory institution makes little sense.