"Everybody knows that such a marriage is not permissible in Islam," Riad Fataar, a senior leader of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), an NGO that represents the Muslims of South Africa, told The Anadolu Agency over the phone on Saturday, March 21.
“It is ridiculous to think otherwise," he added.
| Why a Muslim Woman Is Not Allowed to Marry a Non-Muslim Man? |
The marriage, the first in South Africa, was held on Saturday in Cape Town between Muslim woman Saieda Osman and Christian man Siegfried Milbert.The couple, both over 50, said they have been trying to tie the knot, but their request was rejected by several mosques.
Their marriage, however, was registered at the "Open Mosque" in Cape Town at a ceremony attended by Milbert family and a few members of Osman’s.
"We are so happy for them," the man's daughter Natasha said.
"We knew they were together for some time. They are lucky to have found love at this stage of their life," she added.
"Our family is mixed culturally, but not religiously," Suaad Valliyah, the bride's cousin, said. "We came here in full support," she added.
The mosque, which welcomes gays and allows women to lead prayers, officially opened its doors last September.
The new mosque is described by its founder as South Africa’s first gender-equal, non-sectarian and interracial mosque.
The house of worshipping would welcome both Sunni and Shiite Muslims at the same service.
Criticism
The marriage was widely rejected by some members of the Muslim community.
"This is not allowed in Islam," Luqmaan, a South African Muslim, said.
"He is Christian and not converting," he added.
The sermon during Osman's and Milbert's marriage was delivered by "Open Mosque" leader Taj Hargey.
"Islam is inclusive," Hargey said. "All humans should find a soulmate. They found each other. What gift is more valued than love?" he asked.
Quoting verses from the Qur’an, he claimed that his "mosque" represented an "Islam that is pluralistic."
He asked the Muslim community to question the local Islamic clergy.
"We cannot get married in Islam without a prenuptial agreement," Hargey said. "Ask yourselves and the Ulama [scholars] why we do not find prenuptial agreements in our community."
Muslims make up some 1.5 percent of South Africa’s 49 million-strong population, according to the CIA fact book.
Interfaith marriages including a Muslim woman and a non-Muslim man are not allowed in Islam.
It is permissible for the wife to maintain her Christian or Jewish faith even after marriage, however, because her Muslim husband has an acceptance and love for prophets Issa and Musa, peace be upon them, and the traditions of Christianity and Judaism. Christian and Jewish men, on the other hand, are not required by their faiths to love or respect Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) or the traditions of Islam.
For more on these conditions, please check Can a Muslim Woman Marry a Non-Muslim Man?