MUSLIM COUPLES URGED TO REFER MARITAL ISSUES TO RELIGIOUS AUTHORITIES

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- All matters relating to Muslim marriage and divorce must be referred to and handled by a legitimate authority, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Marhamah Rosli.

She said that Muslim couples facing marital disputes could consult the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia and the State Islamic Religious Departments (JAIN) for counselling and mediation.

Marhamah said the departments had officers trained specifically by the religious authorities and Syariah courts to deal with domestic disputes and divorce matters.

“Jakin and JAIN have provided a platform for counselling services and family mediation based on the Syariah approach to help couples identify the causes of conflict, improve communication, and reach a fair solution,” she said during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.

She was responding to a question from Zulkifli Ismail (PN-Jasin) regarding viral “coach cerai” or divorce coach service, which was linked to the recent divorce of a celebrity couple, and on the government’s, particularly Jakim’s, actions in addressing the matter.

Marhamah said that Jakim took a serious view of the “Coach Cerai” service, which was regarded as contradicting Syariah law and having the potential to harm marital relationships.

The Federal Territories Mufti’s Office had issued a statement regarding the issue, stating that the use of misleading terms and approaches related to family institutions in Islam, such as "divorce coach," needed to be regulated to prevent public misunderstanding and outrage, she said.

--BERNAMA