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Civil marriage mobilizes both religious, sectarian circles
25-2-2019
The issue of the optional civil marriage in Lebanon, brought back to the forefront recently by minister Raya Hassan, is steering wide controversy after various religious authorities rallied to confront it. Following Dar el Fatwa’s admonition of the proposal, the Maronite Patriarch Rai’ declared on February 22 that the Church was not against civil marriage completely, but was against optional civil marriage, stating that laws should be mandatory for everyone. The Catholic Information Center director, Father Abdo abu Kassm, stressed on February 17, that the Church does not recognize civil marriage as it is entirely contrary to its rules. Likewise, the vice president of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council, Sheikh Ali Khatib, on February 21, voiced strong objection to the issue for it encroaches on the Constitution and negates faith. Supreme Druze Sheikh Naim Hassan also rebuffed the proposal, according to Al Diyar newspaper. On the subject, House Speaker Nabi Berri reportedly told a Press Union delegation on February 18, that the optional civil marriage proposal is not on the table of discussion. Al Diyar said that prime minister, Saad Hariri, and minister Raya Hassan, faced by religious pressure, were forced to withdraw and suspend debate on the issue. On the other hand, dozens of civil marriage supporters staged a sit-in in front of the ministry of interior on Saturday asking the government to recognize civil marriages carried out in the country. Protestors hoisted banners which read: ‘Civil marriage not civil war’ and ‘I want civil marriage on home soil, I have flying phobia’. To note, the Lebanese State disallows civil marriage on its territory, but recognizes civil marriages completed abroad. Recalling, the government has proposed a civil marriage draft bill back in 1998, but was halted after wide opposition from religious authorities. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, February 20,22, 23, 25, 2019)
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- العربية
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