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UAE: Now, licence must for marriage facilitators in RAK

Ras Al Khaimah - Ras Al Khaimah makes licence mandatory for marriage facilitators

Now, marriage facilitators, locally known as khatba, need to have a licence in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, a top official has said.

Advisor Dr Ahmad Al Khatri, chairman, RAK Courts, said the job, mostly practised by women at home, must be licenced by the bodies concerned “even if they are working on social media”.

Legal action shall be taken against violators, he warned. “This has been decreed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, chairman of the Executive Council and chairman of the Judicial Council.”

Working as a marriage facilitator without a licence has now become illegal following this decree, he underlined.

“No licence was required for marriage facilitation earlier, but it's no longer so since several reports about violations have emerged.”

The licence will help protect and ensure the rights of both the facilitators and individuals, Al Khatri explained.

“The RAK Court shall issue marriage facilitation licence as is the case with marriage contractors.”

However, a trade licence from the department of economic development in Ras Al Khaimah is a prerequisite, he pointed out.

“Marriage facilitators used to publicly share the personal details of those looking to tie the knot, whether man or woman, on social media,” he said.

“Now, only those interested in getting married shall have access to required information through the marriage facilitator.”

It is a must to keep and ensure the privacy of such personal details and never reveal the same to anyone but only to those interested in marriage, Al Khatri added.

“Some people have been conned by unlicenced marriage facilitators and other fraudsters,” he revealed. “By issuing licence, all marriage facilitation activities shall be monitored and kept under control.”

reporters@khaleejtimes.com