UAE Issues First Civil Marriage Licence To Non-Muslim Couple Under New Law

[Valin]

Sahara Reporter

The latest step is coming in the United Arab Emirates where personal status laws on marriage and divorce had formerly been based on Islamic sharia principles.

 Dec 27, 2021

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has on Monday issued its first civil marriage licence to a non-Muslim couple.

UAE in November 2021 had announced that non-muslims would be allowed to marry, divorce and get joint child custody under civil law in Abu Dhabi according to a new decree issued by its ruler.

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Civil marriage in the Middle-East, the birthplace of Islam, Christianity and Judaism, is uncommon and usually conducted under a religious authority of one of the three monotheistic beliefs.

While some countries in the region allow civil unions based on certain conditions, some only recognise civil marriages conducted abroad and others not at all.