More non-Muslim expats tie knot in UAE since adoption of new law on civil marriage

A landmark legislation came into effect in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on February1 which will fasten up the process of marriage for non-Muslim expatriates or non-Muslims living in the Middle East country. This legislation overhaul in the UAE's judicial system holds extreme significance as the old laws required non-Muslim couples to marry and divorce by following the country's Sharia law.

However, under the new Personal Status Law for non-Muslims, family matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance, will, child custody and paternity will be covered without following the Sharia law.Expatriates earlier had to go through the UAE's Sharia law to get married or divorce, even if it differed from the laws in their own home country.

Also Read | Democrat Ilhan Omar ousted from House Foreign Affairs Committee for her anti-Semitic comments

Add WION as a Preferred Source

The reforms were first approved by the late UAE president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on 27 November 2021. Out of the seven emirates, only Abu Dhabi adopted the new reforms in November last year but now the law will be extended to all the seven emirates including Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah.

Also Read | EU Parliament waives immunity from prosecution of two lawmakers in bribery scam probe

Under the new law, which Abu Dhabi has already implemented, more than 6,000 couples from 127 nations tied the knot. According to Khaleej Times, the majority of those who tied the knot were Filipinos. As many as 2,300 Filipino couples, 830 Indian couples and many Americans, Russians, Lebanese, Nigerians, and Europeans have tied the knot under the new civil law.

Sharing the experience under the new legislation, Immaculate Twebaze, aUgandan,told Khaleej Times, “The process was quick, easy and affordable. For real, we had remarkable and beautiful moments which will never fade away from our minds.”

Watch | Will 'Operation Miracle' save the ocean's rarest marine mammal?

“The hospitality shown right from the main entrance, the blissfulness, smiles from all court staff, make you feel that marriage is a blessing from God and it's a right path to be taken.”

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.