MUI Confirms Interfaith Marriages Are Prohibited By Islam And The Law

Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Anwar Abbas. (Antaranews)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Anwar Abbas emphasized that interfaith marriages violate the law and are prohibited under Islamic law. Anwar said this in response to the conversation about interfaith marriages that went viral on social media.

"In Islam inter-religious marriage is forbidden, as well as in the laws that apply in the Republic of Indonesia. We as Muslims and Muslim women should submit and obey the teachings of our religion," said Anwar Abbas when contacted from Jakarta, Wednesday. March 9, quoted from Antara.

Anwar said under Islamic law, Muslims have been warned not to marry someone of a different faith. He is worried that interfaith marriages will not get blessings in both this world and the hereafter.

"Therefore, in living this life so that we are successful and lucky in this world and in the hereafter, we must obey and submit to His provisions. And according to state law, the law has prohibited us from doing so," he said.

Meanwhile, the Secretary General of MUI Amirsyah Tambunan some time ago said that juridically in Law No. 1 of 1974 as amended to Law No. 16 of 2019 it has been emphasized that marriage is an inner and outer bond between a man and a woman as husband and wife.

According to him, the goal is to form a family or household relationship between a happy and eternal husband and wife, based on God Almighty, as well as his religion.

He assessed that religious differences with Muslim and non-Muslim couples are clearly contrary to the Marriage Law.

In this law it is stated that a marriage is valid if it is carried out according to the law of each religion and belief; and in addition, every marriage must be recorded according to the applicable laws and regulations.

"Because it's a fact that happens, when interfaith marriages between the groom and the bride don't last long. Because one of the facts is that different beliefs make the household fail," he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Religion Zainut Tauhid Sa'adi confirmed that interfaith marriages, which went viral on social media and took place in a church in Semarang, were not recorded at the Office of Religious Affairs (KUA).

"The incident, which is suspected of having an interfaith marriage and going viral on social media, was not recorded at the Office of Religious Affairs or KUA," said Zainut.