Talk about priorities am I right? Yes, you read the title right, Minister for Social and Family Development, Desmond Lee announced on Facebook that a bill will be introduced to Parliament on 4 May 2020 which would allow the solemnisation of civil and Muslim marriages remotely.
Can you imagine getting married virtually? Through a Zoom meeting or a Google hangout call? Glad to see that our country is still trying to keep things as per ‘normal’ by letting those who really want to officiate their marriage do so. Should the bill pass, couples where one party is a Singaporean or a permanent resident will be able to have their solemnisation virtually.
This service is only available for couples who can present Singapore-issued documents for verification. In the case of Muslim marriages, the witness, the wali must be physically present in Singapore in order to sign the statutory declaration. Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs, Masagos Zulkifli has addressed this on Facebook and said that the Office of Mufti has issued religious guidance and as long as conditions for the solemnisation ceremony are fulfilled, virtual Muslim marriages are allowed under Islam.
Given that couples are forced apart for extended periods of time now, do you think some might jump the gun and get solemnised virtually so they can live together during these time of the novel coronavirus?
Registry of Marriages | Website
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