Implications of the official designation of Muslim clergy as authorized civil marriage officers for Muslims polygynous interfaith and same sex marriage in South Africa

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Date

2017

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Western Cape

Abstract

From 2014 to 2017 some 227 South African Muslim clergy, including three females, graduated as civil marriage officers in terms of the Marriage Act 25 of 1961. Although now vested with dual capacity to perform both Muslim marriages (nikahs) and officiate at civil marriages, their designation authorises them to solemnise and register only civil marriages. All religious marriages, including Muslim polygynous marriages, remain formally unrecognised in South Africa. The nikah is expected to precede the civil marriage ceremony; however, they remain two separate (unrelated) marriages.

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Keywords

South Africa, Muslim clergy, Muslim polygynous marriages, Religion

Citation

Moosa, N., & Abduroaf, M. (2017). Implications of the Official Designation of Muslim Clergy as Authorised Civil Marriage Officers for Muslim Polygynous, Interfaith and Same-Sex Marriages in South Africa. International Survey of Family Law, 2017, 323-360.