The Department of Home Affairs has issued South Africa’s first ever marriage certificates officially recognizing the ‘marriage type’ as ‘Muslim’.

After changes were made to the department’s internal systems, Home Affairs issued the first batch of 33 marriage certificates for Muslim marriages for the first time in South Africa’s history.

“Members of the Islamic religious community have made extraordinary contributions to South Africa’s history for over 350 years,” said Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber.

“Although this comes hundreds of years later than expected, it is a personal honor for me to preside, as Minister, over the granting of marriage certificates recognizing Muslim marriages.

“This is a major step towards strengthening the dignity of this faith community and reflects Home Affairs’ ongoing commitment to ensuring dignity for all our valued customers. It is also an expression of nation-building and a celebration of South Africa’s unity in diversity,” Schreiber said.

He said the Interior Ministry was ready to assist all clients who also wish to have a Muslim marriage officially recognized.

“In addition, we have enabled our systems to retroactively recognize Muslim marriages. For a fee of R20, customers can request a reprint of their marriage certificate specifying that they wish to change the wording to indicate that it is “This is a Muslim marriage,” the minister said. . SAnews.gov.za