To Robin in regards to your marriage

Submitted by Keira (Australia), Sep 8, 2019 at 19:28

Dear Robin,

As I wrote today in my post to Arisa, nikah marriage is not exactly the kind of ceremony as we are used to in the Western countries. It is just a contract which you both sign and the place it is not important at all, although you say you finally did it at the mosque. So this tells me that undoubtedly it is a nikah contract. Although it wasn't led by an iman. It can be officiated by any practising Muslim and there can be a khutba-tun-nikah before the signature or nor. The khutba is a special sermon that is given for the occasion. But nikah marriage does not need any celebration at all, can be held in any place.

This marriage has to be registered if one wants to make it legal. You must know if the contract you signed was presented in the civil court of his town to be registered or nor? The stamp should state this. There must be a stamp and the place written on it. Check it out well. But definitely what I highly recommend you is to see a lawyer who is used to file overseas divorces so he/she can have a look at your contract and tell you what you got. Also, Robin, you can find out on the Internet the registration office in Casablanca or Rabat, whatever district he belongs or even both in case of doubt, and ask for the record of your marriage to ensure if it is registered or not. You can give both names and they cannot deny this right to you. Maybe you will have to pay but it worth it. If you find out you are married legally at all effects, then talk to a lawyer and file the divorce in your country as there must be a way to do so whether it be through the Moroccan Consulate or other means.

What I am really sure is that you can ask for marriage records in Islamic countries, as all these men get married under the Sharia Law only and never registered their marriages. So, many women ask for their records in the registration offices to find out if they are legally registered or nor. Unfortunately, Robin, as much as I would like to see your contract, I would not be able to tell you if it is only a nikah contract or not... You are going to need to do a little research on this, I am afraid :( The Nikah contract is exactly as any other contract, but with no legal effect unless it is taken to be recorded to the registration office.

Surf the net and let me know what you find about the registration office. And about overcoming this, YES, of course, you will get it. You just need to keep strong and positive and are totally sure that you are far better without him in your life, and for sure, I can tell you are, then all you need to do is let the time goes by. Time is the best healer.

About the sister: yes, my dear. Maybe she was empathetic towards you because she also had a bad marriage and she got fond of you. But I have no doubts they were aware of the scam, waiting for their reward as well at your expense :( Thank God you escaped from all.

Keep me updated and chin up! You are doing well!

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