Eighteen years on, the Muslim Personal Law (MPL) rolls back into the limelight, albeit in a different format. This piece of legislation was in force only between 1981 and 1987 but managed to achieve legendary status by stirring up passions. Years of lobbying by a section of the Muslim community culminated in a meeting between maulanas and Pravind Jugnauth, the deputy-prime minister and Finance minister.

Government moved up a gear last Friday. Cabinet decided to publish new regulations under the Civil Status Act regarding marriages and dissolution of marriages celebrated in accordance with Muslim rites. These new measures will make sure all Muslim marriages are as legally valid as others. Hence, the ?nikkah? (muslim wedding) will be recognised as a registry marriage.

Dissolution of marriages will go through the Muslim Family Council (MFC). Founded in 1990, this institution will have practically the same powers as a tribunal as far as marriages and their dissolution are concerned. Those summoned, but who fail to appear before the MFC, will even risk penal charges. The MFC?s jurisdiction could therefore be extended to deal with child custody, alimony and inheritance issues.

At this point in time, the new regulations to be published in the Government Gazette remain blurred. In parallel with this decision, cabinet has also decided to set up a joint-committee of Muslim lawyers and religious representatives. This group will have a tough task in hand: looking into existing rules governing marriages celebrated in accordance with Muslim rites and their dissolution as well as issues of children and succession rights.

PM Paul Bérenger, and DPM Pravind Jugnauth, met the representatives of religious organisations and other stakeholders yesterday. The new amendments will surely spark off a whole new debate?