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28 March 2024

Marriage Fund must not be mere ‘cashier'

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By Staff

The Marriage Fund which was created by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan more than two decades ago to finance local marriages must not be a mere “cashier” as it should work to ensure successful mixed marriages.

The remarks by a member of the Federal National Council (FNC), the country’s parliament, coincided with figures showing more than a quarter of the marriages over the past two years were between Emirati men and foreign women.

In Abu Dhabi, marriages totalled 3,034 during that period, including 874 mixed-marriages. Marriages totalled 1,158 in Dubai, including 661 mixed marriages while there were 237 mixed marriages out of 1,238 total marriages in Sharjah.

Marriages in Ajman totaled 410 including 163 mixed marriages while there were 154 mixed marriages out of a total 781 in Ras Al Khaimah. Total marriages in Fujeirah and Umm Al Quwain stood at 602 and 133 respectively, including 49 and 21 mixed marriages, according to court figures published by Emarat Al Youm daily.

“I am not calling for banning mixed marriages because there are successful marriages in this category…but the children must speak Arabic and recognize our habits and traditions…they must also be Muslims,” FNC member Hamad Al Rahoumi said.

“We should not interfere in the personal freedom of Emiratis…I only want the competent federal institutions, such as the Marriage Fund, to follow up such cases and find solutions to ensure marital stability…the Marriage Fund must not confine its role to that of a cashier..it should play an active role to ensure successful mixed marriages.”