South Africa issues first-ever marriage certificates recognizing Muslim marriages

By Anadolu Staff

South Africa on Friday issued its first-ever marriage certificates recognizing Muslim marriages, marking a historic milestone after years of waiting.

The Department of Home Affairs announced that it had granted the first batch of 33 marriage certificates for Muslim marriages, the first time such recognition has been offered in the country’s history.

The move follows internal system changes at Home Affairs, the department said in a statement.

“Members of the Islamic faith community have made extraordinary contributions to South Africa’s history for more than 350 years. While it comes hundreds of years later than it should have, it is a personal honor for me to preside as Minister over the granting of marriage certificates recognizing Muslim marriages,” Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said.

Schreiber emphasized that the recognition of Muslim marriages is a major step towards enhancing the dignity of the Islamic community and reflects the department’s ongoing commitment to deliver dignity to all South Africans.

He said the move is also ‘‘an expression of nation building, and a celebration of South Africa’s unity in diversity.”

Previously, marriages conducted under Islamic law were not recognized by Home Affairs. With this change, Muslim couples can now register their marriages with the department and receive official marriage certificates.