According to a survey, about 6 out of 10 Muslim women who have had a nikkah marriage (traditional Islamic wedding) in the UK are not legally married.
The family courts have recognised that around 61% do not have a separate civil ceremony. It becomes difficult for the woman if the marriage breaks down as they will have to fight through civil courts in order to get a share of the assets.
Rukhsana Noor told The Sunday Times about her marriage in 2004. She tried to persuade her husband to have a civil ceremony as well but he refused. After their split, things became quite difficult for her. She says, “My husband refused to pay maintenance and I couldn't get the house we'd bought, although the majority of the money used to pay for it – 80% - was mine. I couldn't claim more than 50% because we were viewed as co-habitees. I had to move in with my parents and I've spent £100,000 on legal costs. The government needs to change the law so that everybody who has a religious ceremony must also have a civil ceremony.”
Making civil ceremony compulsory in the UK will certainly ensure that both parties are equally and legally abided to one another. And if they do decide to part ways, then the separation and the divisions of assets can be done in an equal manner.
