Head of the family court at the Dubai Courts Judge Salem Obaid Othman has ruled that marriage officiants in Dubai have the legal authority to solemnise contracts of marriage between Muslims, regardless of their nationality, provided that the couple are legal residents in the emirate.
The system earlier in force in Dubai did not give this right to the marriage officiant except in the case of citizens of GCC countries.
Even if each of the spouses hailed from different countries of the 6-member GCC states, the officiant could perform a marriage ceremony.
In the case of other nationalities, the marriage officiant could solemnise a contract if both the bride and groom hailed from the same country.
But if their nationalities differed, it necessitated a special written permission from the President of the Courts to officiate a marriage.
Judge Salem Obaid noted in his ruling that the decision was made due to the increased number of persons turning out at the court for solemnizing marriages. The decision also comes in line with the strategy of the Dubai Courts to ease up procedures at its various sections.
Emirates Business
