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In March 2003, a vocal group of Islamists handed a bill to the National Assembly demanding the implementation of an Islamic Family Law for Muslims in Senegal. They also proposed that Catholics in Senegal be ruled by the actual and modern family code. Members of this group are prominent intellectuals, lawyers, medical doctors, leaders of Islamic brotherhoods, and researchers. Many of them were members of a political party that took part in the presidential and legislative elections, but failed to win a seat in parliament. When the media broke the news about the bill, a deep feeling of fear spread among women's groups, Catholics, and all those who did not want an Islamic family code. We were all aware of the situation in Nigeria, since the adoption of Shari'a laws there. Along with another women's group, my association-- the Groupe de Recherche sur les Femmes et les Lois au Senegal, whose main objective is to support women who face violations of their human rights (specifically on religious grounds)-- started initiatives to counter the Islamists' project. We first began to gather as many allies as possible, firmly believeing that our first ally should be the Catholic community. Fortunately, the National Association of Catholic Women, the National Association of Catholic Students, Catholic Scouts, and Catholic owners of newspapers answered our call quickly and with a favorable response. We also contacted the most important federation of Senegalese NGOs, which includes hundreds of organizations. Additionally, we got in touch with trade unions, uman rights associations, university professors, and individual activists. We also contacted democratic ulemas who have a deep knowledge of Islam and who are against the Shari'a law. And, of course, we tried to gather as much support as we could from the media. All these groups and individuals were very enthusiastic about the actions we proposed and agreed to either be part of our initiatives or to support them. We established a group named "Collective for the Defence of Secularism and for National Unity." After several meetings to discuss matters and arrive at a common plan of action, the group drafted a letter to the Head of State and sent a public declaration (signed by more than 100 groups, associations, and trade unions) to the media. In the letter to the Head of State, we emphasized the following: - Secularism is the first principle articulated in the Senegalese Constitution and all Senegalese are equal no matter what their religion, gender, ethnic group etc. - The Head of State is the guardian of the national unity that is threatened by the attempts to divide the Senegalese people on the basis of their religion as Muslims and Catholics. The project to implement an Islamic family Code might generate violent conflict between Catholics and Muslims. - Even though 94% of Senegalese are Muslim, the large majority of them are not in favor of an Islamic Family Law, because our Family Code is drafted in such a way that it gives options to Muslims as well as to Catholics to choose according to their religious beliefs as far as family matters are concerned. - The need to be aware of what is happening in the Nigerian state where Shari'a has been implemented and where women's human rights are being violated - That Senegal has signed and ratified all international laws protecting women's rights. The adoption of an Islamic Family Law would wipe out these rights. The Declaration that was published by the media was much more political and firm. It called for a national mobilization against those whose hidden agenda is to attempt a 'religious coup d'etat' in order to seize power. They attempt to seize power through thes means since they have been unable to access to through legal elections, and have been rejected by the Senegalese people. The Collective for the Defence of Secularism and for National Unity warned the Islamists that we will mobilize to defend secularism and democratic gains in our country. Senegalese from the diaspora also participated also in the mobilization through an internet campaign and letters sent to the Head of State to declare their opposition to an Islamic Family Code. Several talk show and radio phone-in programs were organized in which those for and against the Islamic Family Law had an opportunity to express their opinions. In May 2003 the Head of State made a public declaration to say that as long he would rule Senegal, neither an Islamic Family Code nor the Shari'a would ever be implemented. Of course, this represents a success for our efforts, but for women's groups it is a victory with a bitter taste. For years, we have been lobbying the state for the implementation of the CEDAW and the government has made promises to this end. In 2000, the Prime Minister, a woman and a lawyer, did a very good job of drafting laws aiming at harmonizing our national laws with the CEDAW and with the Convention of the Rights of the Child. This gave Senegalese women hope that our rights would soon be promoted and protected through these laws. However, now the government is taking advantage of the rejection of the Islamic Family Code by the President, in saying that Islamists and religious leaders would be very upset if women are granted more rights. The government advocates that women's groups must wait for a more favorable time for the laws to be implemented. Of course, we continue lobbying and advocacy for rights. But we are aware that in addition to our struggle against 'usual' gender inequalities, we also have to face a formidable adversary, this particular Islamic group. We are aware that they are still very determined to achieve their objective of getting Shari'a implemented in Senegal. We women and democrats in Senegal are as determined that Shari'a will never be implemented in our country. Codou Bop, Sep 2003. Top |