In a historic first for South Africa, the Department of Home Affairs has issued marriage certificates for Muslim marriages, reports Cape {town} Etc.
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Home Affairs issued the first batch of 33 marriage certificates for Muslim marriages on Friday, officially recognising this type of marriage after updating its internal systems.
The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, said: ‘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 honour for me to preside as Minister over the granting of marriage certificates recognising Muslim marriages.’
‘This is a major step towards enhancing the dignity of this faith community, and reflects the ongoing commitment of Home Affairs to deliver dignity to all our valued clients.’
‘It is also an expression of nation building, and a celebration of South Africa’s unity in diversity.’
The first certificate indicating ‘Muslim marriage’ was issued earlier this month to a couple who had their Nikah at Cravenby Estate in the Western Cape, according to the Al Jama-ah Party.
Home Affairs is ready to assist clients seeking formal recognition of Muslim marriages and has updated its systems to retroactively acknowledge them.
For a fee of R20, clients can request a reprint of their marriage certificate to specify that it is a Muslim marriage.
Democratic Alliance MP Karabo Khakhau noted that Friday marked a significant step toward a more inclusive and just South Africa, citing that the party will celebrate alongside the Muslim community.
The Al Jama-ah Party commended the Department of Home Affairs for updating the marriage certificate to specify the ‘Type of Marriage’ as ‘Muslim’.
‘Although it has been a long wait for a Muslim marriage certificate in line with Islamic Shari’ah Law, the party is pleased that it has been done the proper way.’
‘Muslim couples can now register their marriages with a valid Nikah certificate with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and the marriage will be registered on the National Population Register and the couples will receive a South African Muslim marriage certificate,’ said the party.
The registration of Muslim marriages followed Al Jama-ah’s Member of Parliament Hon Ganief Hendricks (now Deputy Minister of Social Development) Private Members Bill for the recognition of Muslim marriages to comply with the Constitutional Court judgement.
The party has set a target of reaching one million Muslims to get a valid South African Muslim marriage certificate.
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Picture: ER Lombard / Gallo
