Civil Wedding Restrictions

HotHippo


Joined: 25/03/2010
Posts: 402

Message Posted:
27/06/2011 20:12

Hello All,

Has anyone heard of a restriction which prevents persons of Muslim faith being married in a Civil ceremony by the TRNC District Office Registrar, as I've just been advised?

This would seem absolutely crazy in a state where, according to the Public Information Office website, 99% of the population are Muslim.

Serious responses only please, as I'm on a short fuse over this.

Cheers,

Eddie

HotHippo


Joined: 25/03/2010
Posts: 402

Message Posted:
27/06/2011 20:20

Perhaps this is only applicable to Muslims who are not Turkish Cypriots?

Even so, it would still be very hard to justify, far less comprehend.

Marion


Joined: 06/03/2011
Posts: 1816

Message Posted:
27/06/2011 20:35

Don't know the full answer to this, BUT there was a wedding a while ago where because the groom was Turkish (NOT CYPRIOT) the couple went to turkey for the Civil Ceremony and had a 'blessing' here. it had been hoped to have a Christina/Muslim ceremony, but the Imam was not available, so they had appropriate readings in a 'secular' ceremony and the groom rehearsed his English to get it right.

so, after all this 'waffle', I don't think it is to do with faith, but citizenship! Suggest you double check.

HotHippo


Joined: 25/03/2010
Posts: 402

Message Posted:
27/06/2011 20:51

Hello Marion,

Apparently neither Turkish citizens, nor (presumably Non-Turkish Cypriot) Muslims may be married by the Registrar.

It clearly has something to do with faith, (as well as Citizenship), as it would seem that they would have no problem with marrying a Christian, of Non-Turkish Cypriot origin.

All very confusing, and I've asked my advisor to check again.

Regards,

Eddie

nigetj


Joined: 22/07/2010
Posts: 176

Message Posted:
27/06/2011 21:17

i thought all muslims had to comply to sharia law ???

HotHippo


Joined: 25/03/2010
Posts: 402

Message Posted:
27/06/2011 21:34

Having checked your previous posts, I'll guess that you were making what you believed to be a humourous remark. I've asked for serious responses only. Please respect that request.

Marion


Joined: 06/03/2011
Posts: 1816

Message Posted:
27/06/2011 22:56

I wonder if any of the wedding planners know the full truth. I would certainly be interested to learn what you learn HotHippo. I will make enquiries because I know of a Turkish lady who was married here by the Registrar in Girne - maybe it is men that are penalised and not woman (status etc). But that is purely conjecture. Or again, maybe it is the Turks that arenlow citizens that can be wed here by the Registrar, but NOT the Turks that are NOT citizens. I cnanot imagine it is a matter of faith, unless an Imam has said something. Now I confusing myself!!!! (Not difficult sometimes!)

HotHippo


Joined: 25/03/2010
Posts: 402

Message Posted:
28/06/2011 11:49

Have only managed to find out, through our planner, that Muslims are not allowed to marry in TRNC under the Special Licence which non-Turkish Cypriots need. No-one seems able to offer an explanation as to the reason for this. We'll just settle for a Blessing here, rather than wear ourselves out challenging the rules.

Marion


Joined: 06/03/2011
Posts: 1816

Message Posted:
28/06/2011 12:31

Makes sense.But where willyou do the civil ceremony? If I can help with the 'blessing' I am happy to do so, or give you any advice as to who will help. Let's hope that love conquers all!

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
28/06/2011 12:37

What a shite law

especially in a sunni country

Teresa


Joined: 21/11/2007
Posts: 1018

Message Posted:
28/06/2011 21:52

Of course muslims are allowed to get married here, i agree with Marion that the problem might be nationality rather than religion. Please let us know the nationalities of both partners and then we can advise.

Marion


Joined: 06/03/2011
Posts: 1816

Message Posted:
28/06/2011 22:48

I am with Teresa on this one. After all the Turkish Cypriots are muslim, we have mosques here so i cannot believe it is religion. so, do tell the nationalities. I cannot imagine that anyone is being knocked because of their faith, but I am certain it is to do with nationality. Let's hope there are people on this board who can REALLY help with this one.

HotHippo


Joined: 25/03/2010
Posts: 402

Message Posted:
29/06/2011 05:18

Hello Marion & Teresa,

OK, I'm from Scotland (UK Passport and baptised Christian), and my (Muslim) partner is from Azeraijan. As I've said above, apparently Muslims are not allowed to marry in TRNC under the Special Licence which non-Turkish Cypriots need, according to what our Planner has been told by a Girne District Registrar.

We've now decided that we'll have a Civil Ceremony in Azerbaijan, then a Wedding Blessing Party in North Cyprus.

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
29/06/2011 06:36

Eddie,

Might be an idea to give Erkan at Sempati Hotel a ring as if I remember correctly there was a wedding there a few years ago with a 'Russian' bride and an English groom. He is pretty clued up on things like this.



Chris

p.s. Congratulations.

HotHippo


Joined: 25/03/2010
Posts: 402

Message Posted:
29/06/2011 09:57

Thanks Chris.

Marion


Joined: 06/03/2011
Posts: 1816

Message Posted:
29/06/2011 23:51

HotHippo, you make sense. Why chase the impossible. Evben though 'love conquers all', it doesn't always conquer local laws. So take the route that will give the least hassle and the greatest joy. As to NurseAwful reference to Russians - that is no prob. i have been involved in a Russian do and no probs. But again I am sure the ruling is not so much Muslems, but Turkish nationality. But whatever it is, obviously your fiancee comes under that ruling. So, again I say, go down the best route. And of course you will have two lots of wonderful memories, won't you? C an't be bad.!

manuela


Joined: 02/02/2011
Posts: 3

Message Posted:
25/07/2011 07:41

I also think that your planner is misinterpreting the rules. Even though most Turkish Cypriots would classify themselves as Muslims (very moderate ones), the TRNC does not have an "official" religion listed in the constitution and purely religious weddings are not considered legal if they're not followed by the civil marriage (unlike in Turkey, for instance). Azerbaijan being a close friend of the TRNC, my advice would be to ask the TRNC Embassy in Baku - google for contact details. It certainly has to do with citizenship and getting the right papers signed and stamped at the right places.

nikegirl


Joined: 19/02/2010
Posts: 162

Message Posted:
02/08/2011 09:40

I think the rules relate to a Turkish citizen marrying a non Turkish Cypriot. I am Scottish and my fiance is Turkish and I was advised that we can't legally get married here. We will have the civil ceremony in Istanbul and have a blessing here in Cyprus. Apparently a Turkish person can marry a Turkish Cypriot in TRNC but can't marry any other nationalities. Bizarre!

Cazleo


Joined: 06/04/2011
Posts: 232

Message Posted:
02/08/2011 12:10

Turkish Cypriots are married by the marriage office at the Law courts, this is a completely different office to the Registrars office which can marry under a special license in the District Office, however, the rules for them marrying people is that they cannot marry muslims, although non-muslim, any nationality is okay.



Don't blame the wedding planner, these are the rules in Cyprus!



Nikegirl is right, a Turkish Cypriot can marry any nationality/religion in the marriage office (not under special license in the District Office) as they are Cypriot.

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
02/08/2011 13:28

Will the Imam have anything to do with a civil wedding? I thought that under Sharia Law the wedding of a Muslim person will only be recognised as legal if it is conducted in a mosque by the Imam.

And if not being done in a mosque then you can join yourselves through Nikah (not sure of spelling), like a 'temporary' marriage outside of the mosque but still blessed by God.



Hope you get it sorted and whatever happens, good luck to you both.

dippersgirl



Joined: 04/05/2010
Posts: 795

Message Posted:
26/10/2011 18:54

|I'm really confused after reading this lot. My friend, who is Irish wants to marry a turkish girl. they were under the impression, that this is ok. They came here especially.

Is this possible or not???

Cazleo


Joined: 06/04/2011
Posts: 232

Message Posted:
26/10/2011 20:03

If she is mainland Turkish, they cannot get married here in Cyprus. If she is Turkish Cypriot then they can, although it is quite complicated.

Contact me at claire@myweddingcyprus.com with details and I can let you know what the legal situation is