ABU DHABI: The UAE issued its first civil marriage license for a non-Muslim couple, state media reported the previous day, because the Gulf nation seeks to stay its edge over regional competition. The United Arab Emirates — the place foreigners make up 90 p.c of the roughly 10-million inhabitants — has been amending its rules to give itself as a modernizing pressure in a in large part conservative area.
The legitimate WAM information company stated a Canadian couple have been the primary to marry underneath a brand new regulation at the non-public standing of non-Muslims within the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi. The transfer “contributes to the consolidation of Abu Dhabi’s place as an international main vacation spot for abilities and experience from all over the world,” WAM stated.
Civil marriage within the Center East, the birthplace of Islam, Christianity and Judaism, is unusual and normally carried out underneath a spiritual authority of some of the 3 monotheistic ideals. Civil marriages are allowed in Tunisia and Algeria. Whilst some international locations within the area permit civil unions in line with positive prerequisites, some most effective acknowledge civil marriages carried out in another country and others by no means.
Overdue remaining 12 months, the UAE made over an array of rules in a social liberalization power designed to burnish its revolutionary logo. Those integrated lifting a ban on single {couples} dwelling in combination, loosening restrictions on alcohol and providing long-term residencies. Previous this month, the UAE introduced it’s going to transfer to a Western-style Saturday-Sunday weekend.
Beginning on Jan 1, 2022, the Emirates will turn into the one Gulf nation to not apply weekends from Friday, the Muslim day of prayer, to Saturday. Festival is hotting up as neighboring Saudi Arabia, looking for to diversify its oil-reliant financial system, targets to show its capital Riyadh into a global hub. Saudi Arabia has lifted a ban on ladies drivers and eased its strict Islamic get dressed code. Final 12 months, Riyadh stated it could no longer signal contracts with firms that experience their regional headquarters outdoor the dominion. – AFP