ABU DHABI — The
UAE issued its first civil
marriage license for a non-Muslim couple, state media reported Monday, as the
Gulf country seeks to keep its edge over regional competitors.
اضافة اعلان
The UAE — where foreigners make up 90
percent of the approximately 10-million population — has been amending its laws
to present itself as a modernizing force in a largely conservative
region.
The official WAM news agency said a Canadian
couple were the first to marry under a new law on the personal status of
non-Muslims in the Emirati capital
Abu Dhabi.
The move "contributes to the
consolidation of Abu Dhabi's position as a world leading destination for skills
and expertise from around the world," WAM said.
Civil marriage in the Middle East, the
birthplace of Islam, Christianity and Judaism, is uncommon and usually
conducted under a religious authority of one of the three monotheistic beliefs.
Civil marriages are allowed in
Tunisia and
Algeria.
While some countries in the region allow
civil unions based on certain conditions, some only recognize civil marriages
conducted abroad and others not at all.
Late last year, the UAE revamped an array of
laws in a social liberalization drive designed to burnish its progressive
brand.
These included lifting a ban on unmarried
couples living together, loosening restrictions on alcohol and offering
long-term residencies.
Earlier this month, the UAE announced it
will move to a Western-style Saturday-Sunday weekend.
Starting on January 1, 2022, the Emirates
will become the only
Gulf country not to observe weekends from Friday, the
Muslim day of prayer, to Saturday.
Competition is hotting up as neighboring
Saudi Arabia, seeking to diversify its oil-reliant economy, aims to turn its
capital Riyadh into an international hub.
Saudi Arabia has lifted a ban on women
drivers and eased its strict Islamic dress code.
Last year, Riyadh said it would not sign
contracts with companies that have their regional headquarters outside the
kingdom.
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