Recognition of Muslim Marriage Ceremony (Nikah)

The Law of Marriage in the United Kingdom

Family Law in the UK recognizes religious marriages of Christians, Jews and Quakers but it does not recognize the religious marriages conducted under the rules of other religions such as Hinduism, Sikhism and Islam. In this way, it discriminates against people of these faiths. It is the religious marriage that is important to many people and not the civil marriage because they want to be married in the eyes of God rather than some secular body. In fact, many do not even realise that they are not married in law. This deprives such men and women of their rights under Family Law in the UK such as division of assets and access to children. There is an urgent need to amend Family Law in the UK such that the religious marriages of faiths other than those of Christians, Jews and Quakers are recognized. We appeal to Parliament to take steps to amend Family Law most speedily.

This organization does not, as a matter of policy, perform a nikah unless the couple are married in civil law. About 40 years ago, we formulated a temporary solution to a serious problem by taking this step. However, this is an unsatisfactory solution to an undesirable situation. We strongly urge Parliament to provide a better and a more permanent mandatory solution to this problem.

The Ahmadiyya Association for the Propagation of Islam (Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam) was established in Lahore in 1914 to promote the informed understanding of Islam in the West. In the UK it operated the Shah Jehan Mosque in Woking until the early 1960s. Its new headquarters is at Dar-us-Salaam, 15 Stanley Avenue, Wembley, HA0 4JQ, UK. In 1924, in Berlin, it built the first mosque in Continental Europe of the modern era. The Berlin Mosque is now recognised by the German government as part of the German national heritage. From its European and other centres around the world this organisation has taught that Islam promotes peace, harmony and mutual respect between all communities and nationalities.

• Submissions in 2016 to UK Parliament Inquiries:
  • Countering Extremism:
    • Our submission: pdf • html
  • Sharia Councils:
    • Our submission: pdf • html