Women's Legal Centre wants Muslim marriages recognised
Women who leave their marriages destitute because of the government’s failure to recognise their Muslim nuptials will today ask the Western Cape High Court to rescue them, says a report in The Herald. The Women’s Legal Centre said it was litigating in the public interest because the lack of recognition of such marriages affected women and children in particular.
The centre is also concerned that most Muslim divorces take place without the oversight of the courts or the advice of the family lawyer. But the President, the Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs, the Speaker of the National Assembly and the chairperson of the National Council of Provinces are opposing the application, saying Muslim communities are not in favour of the change.
A number of parties – including the Law Society of SA and SA Lawyers for Change – have been admitted as friends of the court for the case. The Lajntum II Muslimaat and the United Ulama Council SA are arguing for the status quo.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
