• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Logo
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Aina Khan OBE
  • Areas of Practice
    • Divorce & Family Law
    • International Family Law
  • Testimonials
  • Showcase
    • Legal Cases
    • Expert Reports
    • Publications
    • Academic Institutions
  • News
  • Contact

News · January 14, 2014

Aina Khan and Baroness Warsi kickstart Muslim Marriage Project

Aina Khan and Baroness Warsi kick started the Muslim Marriages Project on the 9th January 2014. The project is aimed at tackling the many legal and societal issues caused by unregistered Muslim marriages; for example, when the Nikah ceremony is not registered under English civil law.

A Round Table meeting was held at the Foreign Office on 9th January 2014. In attendance were a large panel of opinion makers and influential public figures in the Muslim community. The meeting was addressed by Baroness PC and Aina Khan. Some of those who attended were Lord Tariq Ahmad of the Ministry of Justice, Stephen Hockman QC, and leading Imams and women’s groups.

Baroness Warsi highlighted that to treat the issue, “two routes need to be taken into consideration (1) the legal route which may require legislation to require registration of Muslim marriages to protect vulnerable women and children and (2) in the short term, the community’s role – how to raise awareness of the issue and resolutions can be spread in Muslim communities and to encourage Imams to register their Mosques”.

Baroness Warsi had asked Aina Khan to draw up proposals for action over the next 6 months, building on the work she had done as a member of the Ministry of Justice’s Muslim Marriage Working Group (MMWG) and as a practicing solicitor who handles such cases daily.

Aina Khan has produced a number of resources to help raise awareness of the issue and to fuel the success of the campaign:-

1. A survey questionnaire to collect data and evaluate the extent of the issue and the main causes and gathering of case studies
2. A basic Prenuptial Agreement will be drafted that protects assets on divorce – this can become part of the Nikah contract
3. A succession road shows in the UK’s most predominant Muslim communities during the next 6 months
4. A flowchart for Imams setting out the simple steps to registering marriages These resources will allow Aina to “learn of the experiences of the local community and to explain how to address the issue of unregistered marriages.”
5. A 2 page simple Islamic narrative is being drafted, to be downloaded and given out at Mosques and other places frequented by Muslims. This has been given the support of key Islamic scholars; emphasizing that “Islam was the first religion to introduce the concept of marriage as a contract, with clear terms to protect the interests of both parties and the children – secret marriages or those that exploit or hurt one party are not acceptable in Islam”.

Aina Khan stated:

“The problem (of unregistered Muslim marriages) is a major trend – it is growing rapidly, especially amongst the under 30s. In my experience of clients, 80% of Muslim marriages are not registered and this percentage is growing. The legal consequences are that Muslim women can be thrown out of their homes overnight, losing their dignity, their wedding jewellery and belongings and so often large investments of income and savings. The husbands are refusing to pay their ‘Mehr’ (the Islamic financial settlement given upon marriage by the husband). These women cannot often afford to recover their rights under Trusts law so they have to give up their claims.

I am looking at ‘No win No Fee’ arrangements and other funding options to bring civil law claims. I am seeking case studies and urge people to contact me without delay and to complete the survey. Complete confidentiality is guaranteed.”

Lord Ahmad stated:

“There is clearly a need to inform the Imams about the legal resources available to these women.”

Baroness Warsi made it clear in the meeting that an awareness campaign cannot be carried out “under the radar”. She expressed her full commitment and that the Government will support the Muslim community in addressing this issue, stressing that the campaign will be community led.

Aina Khan thanked the leading figures in both Muslim and non-Muslim communities who have pledged their support and looks forward to issuing clear findings during the next 6 months.

 

Read more here.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: international law, islamic law, law, legal, legal cases, legal marriage, marriage, muslim marriage

Previous Post: « Pro Bono Legal advice at Global Peace and Unity
Next Post: Aina Khan Shortlisted as Finalist in the Services to Law category at the British Muslim Awards 2014 »

Primary Sidebar

  • Client Portal

Footer

SITE NAVIGATION

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Divorce & Family Law
  • Get Started Online
  • Testimonials

AINA KHAN LAW

What is unique about us?
A guaranteed result
Achieved within tight timescales
At controlled costs

Contact Us

  • 25 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1AL
  • 020 3858 8020
  • [email protected]

CONNECT WITH US

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Celebrating Excellence Shortlisted

Aina Khan Law Solicitors is a trading name of Aina Khan Law Ltd Company No: 1129 1404 VAT number 297 687 424
Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales with registered number 647651
Copyright © 2023 · Privacy Policy · Complaints Policy · Website hosting by Lift Legal Marketing · Login

This site tracks visits anonymously using cookies. Close this dialogue to confirm you are happy with that or find out more in the Privacy Policy. Agree and close
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT