In The Press

Duncan Lewis’ Islamic Law specialist, Aina Khan , speaks on Woman’s Hour at the BBC about the concerns that 90% of under 40s’ Nikah marriages are not being legally recognised in the UK. This is because a Nikah-only wedding does not legally validate the marriage, without the couple opting to register the marriage in a separate civil ceremony. Aina explains that this affects a number of faiths in the UK, with only Anglican, Jewish and Quaker marriages having to register their marriage according to The Marriage Act 1949. She explains that other faiths must volunteer to register, either by having a civil ceremony or by choosing to marry abroad where the marriage is legally recognised. She explains that she began the campaign “Register our Marriage” four years ago in order to: “1) make The Marriage Act apply to all faiths and 2) educate all the communities so that they register their marriages.”