First Mufti* Marriage Performed

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After the act authorizing muftis to perform marriage entered into effect, the first marriage performed by a mufti was realized.

Doğan News Agency (DHA) reported that Turgay Gülenç, who was appointed as trustee to the municipality, registrar Rıfat Akan, and Bismil District Mufti Ahmet Durmuş were present in the mass marriage ceremony organized by Diyarbakır Bismil Municipality.

Following the trustee performing the first marriage, mufti Durmuş performed the marriage of a couple. The marriage of other couples was performed by the registrar.

Giving the official marriage certificate to the married couples, Durmuş stated that he has eight children and advised the couples to have at least five children.

30 couples got married in the mass ceremony in total.

What happened?

As many as 100 women's and LGBTI organizations had launched a campaign in the previous days called "These Laws Cannot Pass as They Are".

As part of the campaign, the women went in front of the parliament and issued a statement for the press with the MPs from the Republican People's Party (CHP) and Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP).

Simultaneous women's demonstrations continued in various cities for days.

Upon objections raised by the woman MPs of opposition parties, it was sent to the sub-commission on October 3, for approval.
The sub-commission approved the draft as it was and sent it back to the Committee on Internal Affairs.

As to the law amendment draft that stirred criticism, President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said: "The Parliament will pass this law whether you like it or not." The draft passed the parliament on October 19.

*A mufti is an Islamic scholar who interprets and expounds Islamic law. Muftis are jurists qualified to give authoritative legal opinions. (ÇT/TK)