In a significant move towards inclusivity, South Africa has issued its first-ever marriage certificate that recognizes a “Muslim marriage.” This ground-breaking development took place earlier this month, with the first certificate being granted to a couple who performed their Nikah at Cravenby Estate, Western Cape. According to the Al Jama-ah Party, this decision comes as the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has officially adjusted its systems to acknowledge “Muslim” as a marriage type on legal documents.
The DHA announced in a statement that it had issued the first batch of 33 marriage certificates for Muslim marriages, marking a historic first for South Africa. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber underscored the historical impact, saying, “Members of the Islamic faith community have made extraordinary contributions to South Africa’s history for more than 350 years.” He further expressed his personal honour in presiding over this development, acknowledging it as a long-overdue step toward affirming the dignity of South Africa’s Muslim community.
A Step Towards Inclusivity and Nation-Building
Schreiber emphasized that the formal recognition of Muslim marriages is more than a bureaucratic adjustment; it reflects a national commitment to unity in diversity. “It is also an expression of nation building, and a celebration of South Africa’s unity in diversity,” he said. Al Jama-ah, the party instrumental in pushing for this recognition, hailed it as a triumph for Muslim couples who can now register their marriages with a valid Nikah certificate through the DHA. These marriages will be recorded on the National Population Register, with couples receiving a marriage certificate that officially recognizes their union as a “Muslim marriage.”
The Al Jama-ah Party remarked on the significance of this milestone, noting that for over 350 years, Muslim marriages had not been officially recognized in South Africa—by both the apartheid regime and the post-apartheid government. The party has set an ambitious goal of reaching one million Muslims to help them obtain a legally recognized Muslim marriage certificate.
Political Leaders and Community Support
The milestone has received positive reactions from various political figures and community leaders. DA MP Karabo Khakhau praised the recognition of Muslim marriages as an achievement that brings “dignity and long-overdue equality to members of the Muslim community.” Similarly, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis welcomed the change, saying, “This progressive step by Home Affairs is most welcome and holds great historical significance for so many residents in our city. Formal state recognition of Muslim marriages promotes dignity and celebrates our diversity as South Africans.”
A Simple Process for Recognition
For Muslim couples wishing to update their existing certificates to reflect a Muslim marriage, Home Affairs is offering assistance at a nominal fee of R20 for reprinting. This initiative also allows couples to have their certificates retroactively updated, ensuring that Muslim marriages are legally acknowledged across the country.
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