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As civil marriage remains firmly off the political agenda, couples head to Cyprus to say 'I do'
Critics insist a law to legalize such unions will never pass because influential religious leaders resist any move toward secularization
By Louisa Ajami
Special to The Daily Star
Friday, August 03, 2007



BEIRUT: For Nadia Bou Ali and Mahmoud Natout, a religious marriage was never an option. Not only do they come from different faiths - Bou Ali, 22, is Druze and Natout, 33, is Sunni - but neither is particularly religious, either. "If you're not religious, why get married in an institution you don't believe in?" asks Bou Ali, a graduate student at the American University of Beirut (AUB).

Because marriages in Lebanon are governed by religion-based family law, a couple may only wed legally in a church or mosque. If the partners are of different religions, one of them - usually the woman - must convert. This creates obvious problems for inter-religious couples and their families. Those who do not want to convert - whatever the reason - do have options, as Lebanon recognizes civil marriages that take place outside the country. The laws of that country then dictate procedure in cases of dispute, divorce and inheritance.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=84292