Islamic Law Solicitors

Aina Khan will be discussing whether to challenge the status of the Nikkah at To Register or Not to Register event on the 2nd October 2015.

According to the 2011 United Kingdom Census Islam is the second largest religion that has grown over 75% between 2001 to 2011. The 2011 Census records there are 2.7 million Muslims however many estimate the true figure is far greater.

Given the substantial presence of Muslims within the UK it is worrying a reputed 80%- plus of Muslim marriage ceremonies, the Nikkah, are not registered according to Aina Khan, founder of the Register Our Marriage campaign.

The result is the religious marriage is not recognised in the United Kingdom.

The legal protection afforded to individuals marrying, having children and building a family life upon the relationship breaking down are unquantifiable. Yet a staggering number of Muslims do not take the steps to ensure they are properly protected. Unregistered Nikkah’s exclude either party from enforcing matrimonial rights. More worryingly there is a steep rise in the number of Muslims, particularly women and children, falling victim to this injustice.

According to the Ministry of Justice ‘Muslim Marriages Working Group’ produced a report in 2012 there are two routes for addressing the growing issues: firstly, changing legislation to ensure all faith marriages must be registered, and/or secondly community activism through encouraging, amongst other things, Imams to become authorised to conduct registered marriages.

Aina Khan, who heads the Duncan Lewis Solicitors Islamic Law department will feature at the To Register or Not to Register event to discuss whether to challenge the status of the Nikkah.

The event will be taking place on the 2nd October 2015 at Abrar House, 45 Crawford Place, W1H 4LP London from 18:45 – 20:30.