No Civil Marriage Performed at Churches, Synagogues

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Concerning the draft that authorizes muftis to perform civil marriage, Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) MP Garo Paylan has responded to claims that civil marriage is performed at churches and synagogues.

Responding to crticisms, Vice Prime Minister Recep Akdağ had said “Look at America, look at European countries, don’t the priests solemnize there? Why can’t mufti solemnize while priest can? The answer to the question is very simple. Why shouldn’t mufti solemnize while priest can? Of course, what is the harm in it”.

Stressing that only religious marriages are performed at churches and synagogues, not the civil ones, Paylan said: “The solution is definitely not authorizing the Patriarchate and Chief Rabbi but the power given to the muftis be taken out of the draft”.

Stating that the government claimed that “there aren’t enough registrars” to back the draft, Paylan said that if that is the case, more registrars must be employed. (ÇT/TK)