New Couple Follows Kholoud and Nidal's Footsteps towards Civil Marriage

Disputes on the controversial issue of legalizing civil marriage did not impede more Lebanese youths from taking this step as a new couple, Shaza Khalil and Tony Dagher, decided to tie the knot but in a civil marriage, a step premiered last month by Kholoud Succariyeh and Nidal Darwish.

Shaza, a Muslim, and Tony, a christian, fell in love 11 years ago and have currently decided to get married outside the religious institutions, exclaiming their wish to do that in Lebanon and not in Cyprus as the habit runs for the Lebanese.

The couple stressed respect to all religious institutions, but refused to succumb to the de facto situation, in light of the wide opposition of religious figures to legalize civil marriage.

Assuring willingness to face social, religious and legal obstacles, they pointed out that civil marriage is the civil step towards establishing a civil state.

According to the Qoran and Muslim religious figures, it's forbidden for a Muslim woman to marry someone from outside her religion, but it is acceptable for a Muslim man to do.

Civil marriage has not been legalized in Lebanon for religious reasons, and the controversy at the political level has erupted mainly between President Michel Suleiman and Premier Najib Miqati.

Argument over legalizing it was renewed in January when Suleiman tweeted support for its adoption, saying the constitution guaranteed it as a civil right. Miqati on the other hand strongly rejected the issue, saying: “It's useless to discuss this matter.”

Suleiman proclaimed his support days after Succariyeh and Darwish announced they had wed as a secular couple and were awaiting the Interior Ministry’s formal recognition of their marriage document.