Fajarasia.co – Member of Commission VIII DPR RI KH. Muslich Zainal Abidin highlighted the decision of the Surabaya District Court (PN) which legalized interfaith marriages for Muslim and Christian couples.
According to him, the PN’s decision cannot be justified because it has harmed Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.
“The marriage is invalid because the Indonesian Marriage Law, which applies to interfaith marriages, is considered invalid by law unless one party follows the other party’s religion,” said Muslich, in his press statement, Thursday (23/6/2022).
The politician from the National Awakening Party (PKB) said that the Compilation of Islamic Law has also regulated inter-religious marriages. Article 40 letter (c) of the Compilation of Islamic Law states that it is forbidden to marry a man with a woman who is not Muslim.
“Every citizen must submit and obey the applicable laws, Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution. Therefore, everyone must make religion the basic foundation in carrying out the life of the nation and state,” explained Muslich.
Furthermore, the legislator for the Central Java VI constituency explained that the regulation regarding marriage in Indonesia in Article 2 paragraph 1 of Law Number 1 of 1974 concerning Marriage states that marriage is legal if it is carried out according to the laws of each religion and belief.
“In the Marriage Law, it focuses on religious law in carrying out marriages, so that the determination of whether or not marriage is permissible depends on religious provisions. That means, if religious law does not allow interfaith marriages, then it is also not permissible according to state law. Whether or not interfaith marriages are allowed depends on the religious provisions,” explained Muslich.
In addition, Muslich said interfaith marriage is not only prohibited by Islam. However, other religions also prohibit interfaith marriages.
“We also know that marrying different religions according to religions other than Islam is also prohibited and illegal,” said Muslich.****
