'Nikah ekspres' a worrying trend among Malaysian Muslim couples, say experts

By NST - January 15, 2019 @ 11:50pm

SHAH ALAM: The practice of ‘nikah ekspres’ (express marriage solemnisation) among Muslim couples is growing, and is driven partly by an explosion in the number of dubious individuals offering the service.

According to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Institut Islam Hadhari director professor Datuk Aziah Mohd Awal, many couples want a short and sweet process to becoming husband and wife, but the proper procedure involves observing laws and attending court sessions that can be arduous and time-consuming.

“Many (couples) are bogged down by the nitty-gritty issues and procedures (involved in getting married). To be wedded in Malaysia, one needs to do everything from filling in and submitting forms to the religious office, to getting consent from a judge.

“This process takes time.

“(But) a ‘nikah ekspres’ is quick. It oversteps the process. It can be completed in a day, but it is normally conducted outside of Malaysia,” she said.

Providers of ‘nikah ekspres’ services place advertisements to catch the eye of would-be newlyweds, and promise a quick solemnisation process assisted by religious officers, lawyers and even syarie judges.

Malaysia Syarie Lawyers Association (PGSM) president Musa Awang (2nd-right), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Institut Islam Hadhari director professor Datuk Aziah Mohd Awal (2nd-left), UKM’s Centre for Contemporary Fiqh and Syariah Compliance lecturer associate professor Dr Zuliza Mohd Kusrin (right) and moderator Arba Foundation chief executive officer Azlan Shah Nabees Khan (left) during the Sinar Harian’s Bicara Minda dialogue entitled ‘Nikah Ekspres’ in Shah Alam. -NSTP/INTAN NUR ELLIANA ZAKARIA

It is believed that these “service providers” are ex-religious officers or former lawyers who are no longer authorised to carry out solemnisation ceremonies, but are lured by the promise of a quick buck.

“There are agents who advertise that a solemnisation process would be assisted by syarie lawyers… they have a panel… and even syarie judges.

“There are also companies that take up full-page advertisements on ‘nikah Thailand’,” said Malaysia Syarie Lawyers Association (PGSM) president Musa Awang.

Aziah and Musa were speaking during Sinar Harian’s Bicara Minda discourse on the issue of ‘nikah ekspres’ at Kompleks Karangkraf at Section 15 here, today.

Also on the panel was UKM’s Centre for Contemporary Fiqh and Syariah Compliance lecturer associate professor Dr Zuliza Mohd Kusrin.

The discussion was moderated by Arba Foundation chief executive officer Azlan Shah Nabees Khan.