MUI Affirms Online Siri Marriage Like Prostitution Under The Guise Of Marriage In Today's Memory, March 19, 2015

One of the online serial marriage advertisements that was rife in 2015. (MUI)

JAKARTA - Today's memory, nine years ago, March 19, 2015, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) confirmed that online marriage was illegal. MUI also called the phenomenon a practice of prostitution under the guise of marriage.

Previously, the online sirionline marriage business spread in cyberspace. Online in that case is referred to in two types. Siri marriage services are promoted online and the implementation is offline. Others are serial marriages that are promoted and their implementation is online.

There are more and more Sirionline (online) marriage practices in early 2015. This fact is proof that the practice of underwater marriage is so popular. Even underwater marriage is a solution for those who want to bind to a sacred relationship by avoiding the government's official records.

Sirionline marriage is here defined in two ways. First, unregistered marriages whose services are promoted through online media and offline implementers. Second, promotion and implementation of unregistered marriages are carried out online.

Problems arise. This practice is considered to have violated the provisions stipulated in Law no. 1 of 1974 concerning marriage. Its contents emphasize that the government only gives the authority to organize marriage to government officials. Not people outside the government.

Those who want to marry Islamically are authorized by the apparatus of the Office of Religious Affairs (KUA). While other religions outside of Islam are under the authority of civil registration. Anyone who practices Sirionline marriage becomes the head of the "if they are government officials, they will be punished".

Those who are not government officials will suffer the same fate. Nisya will also deal with the law.

"So if there are individuals or parties outside the apparatus who provide unregistered marriage services, it is categorized as a crime. Because it is not his right to act like a penghulu," said the Director of Sharia Development at the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag), Muhtar Ali, quoted by the CNN Indonesia page, March 12, 2015.

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) also spoke up. Secretary of the Fatwa Commission of the Indonesian Ulema Council, Asrorun Ni'am Sholeh, called the Sirionline marriage practice invalid on March 19, 2015. He considered the practice of unregistered marriage to be nothing more than the practice of prostitution under the guise of marriage.

Marriage must be noted by the state apparatus, not just anyone. He saw that the provider of online marriage practice services did not attach importance to the legal requirements for marriage. Because, the only thing to think about is seeking profit.

"This phenomenon is like the practice of prostitution under the guise of marriage through the services offered. The provider of the site wants to provide services, you know, I have guardians and witnesses so that the bride can get married. Even though in Islam there are conditions that cannot necessarily be met by the unregistered marriage site. Don't reduce the meaning of marriage only for the sake of sexual outlets, but there is a noble purpose of marriage to the family of Sakinahmawadahwarahmah.

"Against those who try to hide their marriage, the role of the state is needed to solve it. This is not just a sexual halalization but there is a purpose for marriage. The purpose of marriage is also long-term, not for the time being like a contract marriage. Because if the goal is only temporary, it is forbidden," said Asrorun as quoted by Antara, March 19, 2015.