The United Arab Emirates issued its first civil marriage license for a non-Muslim couple through the recently established Abu Dhabi Non-Muslim Personal Status Court.
This was also the Arab region’s first non-Muslim civil marriage officiated by a court of an Islamic country. The newlywed was a Canadian couple.
Their civil wedding was done through a video conference, in accordance with the conditions and controls set by the law.
“The happy couple expressed their thanks and gratitude for facilitating the civil marriage contract service in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and expressed their appreciation for the efforts made both in terms of organization, ease of application, and speed in concluding the authentication procedures,” reported the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
“Civil marriage registration service is now available on the official website of the Judicial Department, for both residents and visiting tourists. The contracting and registration of marriage is done remotely through video conferencing technology,” it added.
Yousef Saeed Al Abri, Undersecretary of Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), stressed that it sets a precedent in the Arab region. He said that it “supports the ongoing development efforts of the legislative and judicial system to ensure that it keeps pace with the various developments and evolutions, thus contributing to the consolidation of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s position as a world leading destination for skills and expertise from around the world.”
He said it shows the world that the UAE upholds non-Muslim rights and civil principles, and thus reflect the positive image and the tolerance of the UAE and the Islamic religion, in general.
