There was a programme on BBC 4 on the 22nd August 2016 at 16:30
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07pfc36
This was a talk on Sharia Law or Councils within the UK. Whilst it as not compulsory for a Muslim to use it and it as no backing of UK Law, which is still Primary Law of the UK.
It deals mainly with family law, divorce, inheritance, custody of children etc.
What came out of it was the suggestion of all Muslim marriages in the UK to be registered by the register office official in a similar manner to anyone else who gets married in the UK.
Indeed it mentions several Mosques are now licensed for marriage and these marriages are then registered under UK Law as is the norm in other religious institutions.
This overcomes the problem of a man marrying a woman under Muslim law, then if the man decides that this marriage is not for him. He can easily divorce his wife and then remarry if he so wishes. I could in fact lead to children and in fact a semi polygamous marriage.
Whereas a woman finds it very difficult to obtain a divorce, and if divorce is granted then she as problems over custody of children or maintenance etc. Indeed it very discriminatory against women.
What seems to be a problem for the man is many Muslim woman are starting to demand that their marriages are registered under UK Law and all the rights and protection that it brings. Especially that many young woman born in the UK are well educated and are demanding the same rights as other woman within the UK.
I shall end now, and leave it up to anyone interested to listen to the programme.
Comments
Should all relationships be registered under UK Law?
That is what the question comes down to really – because the Islamic concept of marriage covers more than a “traditional” death-do-us-part style marriage.
Forgetting lesser relationships, what about cohabiting?
I do agree though there will always be questions about an unregistered marriage as it is open to abuse without the protection of law.
Gping back to the point of cohabiting, should cohabiting couples have the same legal responsibilities and rights as a married couple or not?
The issue is bigger than one just about Muslims IMO.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Relationships no, but Marraiges should be registered within the UK. be they Muslim, Christian or any other type of permanent marraige to protect both the wife and any children.
Yes marraiges or relationships can break up, but at least both parties can resolve the situation. Using the law of the UK, but if it [the maraige] is not registerd then there is no recourse to UK Law.
As for Cohabiting couples, unless they have made wills, or entered into some sort of registered contract. You will find that they are treated very unfairly.
As for the Muslim issue, it was just that the discussion was bettween Muslims on the Radio. Whether to register a Muslim marraige or not [some do register] this, plus the fact that there had been advertising for Muslim partners on your site, i just thought it might aid the people who might be taking that path.
I was just expanding the discussion a little as marriage in the Muslim context can mean more than what others mean as it covers more forms of intimate relationship.
There is even a concept of “common marriage” where two individuals are cohabitting as a couple without any known/public marriage contracts being available for inspection – it is looked down upon.
I would say though that not registering a marriage generally puts the woman at a major disadvantage and removes protections that she should be given.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.