More imams qualify as civil marriage officers
On Friday‚ 34 imams in Gauteng graduated as marriage officers‚ which allows them to perform the ceremony in terms of the Marriage Act and confers legal status on these unions. The legality of these marriages will “turn the tide of injustice that has been visited on many Muslim women and children in situations of death and divorce”‚ said Fatima Chohan‚ the deputy minister of home affairs.There are now about 130 imams qualified as marriage officers around the country‚ the Home Affairs Department said. The imams will continue to conduct Islamic marriage ceremonies (Nikkah).“Muslim couples have the choice to be married by imams who are enabled to register their marriages at the Department of Home Affairs and thereby bring legal certainty to their marriage from the outset‚” said Chohan.The Gauteng graduation follows similar ones in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Chohan has been leading the initiative to get imams across the country to qualify as marriage officers". ..
There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.
From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.
For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.
Already subscribed? Sign in below.
Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.