Amal Soliman – First Female Marriage Officer Appointed in Egypt

In Egypt, first female marriage officer was appointed last month in a very unprecedented move. Islamic countries usually draw a line which defines the role of women in public. Sometimes this has to do more with tradition then Islam. The appointment of a female marriage officer is a big thing because women are barred from holding such positions as they cannot perform such duties during their monthly ordeal.

Amal Soliman, 32, will now be able to perform the duties of a marriage officer that also include administrating Nikkah. She was not given this job in a plate, she applied for it and was the only female candidate out of 11 applicants. According to Soliman, she got the job because she was the only applicant with a Master’s Degree.

Marriage officer is a fancy name for someone who just does the paperwork and is present during the Nikkah and makes sure that both bride and the groom agree to the marriage. He, and now She, is more like a witness to marriage. In the state of California, during a religious wedding ceremony, only a Scholar (PhD), a Clergy (Imam) or an ordained minister can perform the marriage. I don’t remember ever witnessing a marriage that was administered by a woman, Muslim or non-Muslim.

Solimon was asked for obvious reasons as to what she will be doing during that week of the month when she won’t be able to attend the religious obligations associated with the marriage. She said that during that week, she will administer the marriage by staying at the office and making sure the paperwork is in place and a substitute will take her place to witness the Nikkah. I must say, a brilliant answer.

She was also asked what would be different if women were openly allowed to become marriage officers. She said that a woman marriage officer will be able to make sure that the bride really does agree to the marriage and is not been forced by her parents, usually the case in conservative cultures.

I think this is a good start, I don’t have a problem with this. I don’t believe anyone can have a problem with this but I can obviously be wrong and if I am wrong and you do have a problem, tell me about it!