Abu Dhabi’s ruler has issued a decree allowing civil marriage and regulating divorce for non-Muslims within the oil-rich emirate, state information company WAM reported Sunday.
The brand new household legislation, which was introduced by Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan, will present “a versatile and superior judicial mechanism for the willpower of non-public standing disputes for non-Muslims,” based on WAM.
The legislation consists of 20 articles protecting civil marriage, divorce, joint custody of youngsters, proof of paternity and inheritance amongst non-Muslim households, the company reported.
One provision introduces the idea of shared custody between the mother and father “to safeguard the household’s cohesion after divorce and to protect the psychological well being of the kids.” One other provision permits for civil marriage “based mostly on the desire of each the husband and spouse,” somewhat than requiring consent from the woman’s guardian. Non-Muslims will now not have to show hurt was carried out within the marriage in an effort to get hold of a divorce. The legislation additionally addresses inheritance points and wills for non-Muslims.
Abu Dhabi will arrange a brand new court docket for non-Muslim relations, which can hear instances in each Arabic and English to “enhance judicial transparency” and accommodate the Gulf state’s massive expat population.
Describing the decree as the primary of its form on the planet, WAM mentioned the transfer “will improve the Emirate’s place and world competitiveness as one of the vital enticing locations for expertise and abilities.”
Final yr, the United Arab Emirates rolled out a collection of non-public freedoms reforms, together with an easing of alcohol restrictions and decriminalization of premarital intercourse.
