Gifts exchanged in a traditional Malay-Muslim wedding. With high rates of divorce among Muslim couples, Islamic authorities in Malaysia are mulling courses for married couples. – The Malaysian Insider pic, June 25, 2014.
Worried about the high divorce rate among Muslims, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) now plans a post-marriage course for Muslim couples in addition to the current compulsory pre-marriage course, Bernama reported today.
"The proposal seeks among others, to compel Muslim married couples to attend the three-day, two-night course which focuses on domestic issues, marital relationship and children upbringing," the report quoted Jakim's Family, Social and Community Development director Zakuan Sawai as saying.
He said a working paper on the proposal was prepared and is awaiting green light from Islamic religious departments.
Zakuan said the plan would divide couples who are married 1 to 5 years, 6 to 10 years, 11 to 20 years, and above.
But the emphasis would be on couples in the first five years of married life.
"This is because they are still in the process of familiarising themselves with one another," Zakuan told Bernama, adding that a pilot project is underway among civil servants before the course expands to the public.
Recent statistics from the Shariah Judiciary Department Malaysia showed divorces involving Muslim couples rose by 2.3 times, from 20,916 in 2004 to 47,740 in 2012, and to 49,311 last year.
Muslims intending to marry are already obligated to attend pre-marriage courses conducted by private companies licensed by state Islamic authorities, with a certificate issued to those who completed the course.
In Selangor, Muslims also have to undergo HIV blood test, although it is up to the partners to agree whether they want to continue with the marriage in the event their spouses fail the test.
- TMI
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