Egyptian court appoints first female Muslim marriage clerk

Mother of three wins position after legal, religious debates; lawyers, clerics fiercely oppose appointment. (The Media Line)

By THE MEDIA LINE STAFF
Muslim women 298.88 (photo credit: AP [file])
Muslim women 298.88
(photo credit: AP [file])
Amal Suleiman 'Afifi, a 33-year-old woman from Egypt, was appointed a marriage officer, a first in the history of the Muslim world. 'Afifi, a mother of three who holds a master's degree in General Law and Criminal Sciences, won the position after long months of legal and religious debates. The appointment of 'Afifi by the Zaqaziq Family Court in February this year was met by fierce resistance from both lawyers and religious clerics. A few Islamic scholars claimed that according to Islam, the testimony of two women was equivalent to one man in court and therefore a marriage contract signed by a woman would be considered illegal. Others claimed, however, that by executing the work of a marriage officer 'Afifi should not be considered a witness, but rather an official, and therefore her signature on the contract did not contravene the rules of Islam. The Grand Mufti of Egypt 'Ali Gum'a, as well as high-ranking Islamic scholars in the prestigious Al-Ahram University, declared there was nothing in Islamic Law that prevented a woman from holding the position of marriage officer. The case was then transferred to the Courts Administration at the Ministry of Justice for further examination, and on September 26 Justice Minister Mamdouh Mar'i approved 'Afifi's appointment. 'Afifi finally received her certificate earlier this week. A short announcement on the Egyptian State Information Service's website stated that "theologians and legal experts said nothing hinders a woman from working as a Marriage Officer, given that the Constitution provides that all people stand equal before the law." 'Afifi immediately said she would arrange her work schedule so that she would be able to perform her duties as mother and wife. She then promised she would perform the marriage ceremonies free for couples that could not afford the marriage fees. 'Afifi also challenged a number of marriage officers, who had threatened to resign if she won the position, to fulfill their promise. "If they resign, many qualified women will be able to take their positions," said 'Afifi.