- The aim was to legalise the marriages according to Islamic laws to enable the couples to perform their religious duties effectively.
- Partners who had been living together for years and had children out of wedlock joined in matrimony as legal husband and wife.
Image: SHABAN OMAR
As Muslims start the holy month of Ramadhan, more than 40 Muslim couples from poor families were wedded in a mass ceremony at Kwale Baraza Park in Matuga.
The ceremony was funded by Matuga MP Kasim Sawa Tandaza, through his Tandaza Foundation.
The aim was to legalise the marriages according to Islamic laws to enable the couples perform their religious duties effectively.
The solemnising ceremony saw partners who had been living together for years and had children out of wedlock, joined in matrimony as legal husband and wife.
In Islamic law (sharia) pre-marital sex is forbidden and is categorised as a big sin known as Zina, and during the holy month of Ramadhan unmarried couples are discouraged from living together to avoid spoiling their fast.
Ramadhan is believed to be the month of repentance, and Muslims strengthen their relationship with God through increased prayers, Quran reciting and extending charity to the poor among other things.
Most people take advantage of the month to cleanse themselves and seek forgiveness.
According to Tandaza, majority of the couples were in informal relationships because of lack of money to cater for the wedding expenses.
Some had tied the knot in the Kadhi's court but were unable to generate marriage certificates for lack of money.
The MP said through his foundation, he wanted to alleviate the poor from the burden of huge wedding ceremony bills and help them make their union official as per the religious and government laws.
"For one to be pronounced husband and wife there must be certain legal procedures to be followed both religious and on the government side. So, I assisted to make it easy for them," he said.
The couples were supported to raise money for the certificates, given free transport to and from their homes and offered food and drinks to colour their wedding ceremony.
The unions were conducted on Friday where hundreds of Kwale residents joined the newly weds to mark the occasion.
Tandaza said he also targeted accelerating the number of beneficiaries of the National Health Insurance Fund where the marriage certificates are crucial.
Previously, the lawmaker launched an NHIF programme for the vulnerable Kwale residents to help them access to quality and affordable healthcare services.
More than 500 residents had been enrolled in the programme by March 2021.
The MP said many families couldn't effectively benefit from the health programme because they live in unrecognised marriages.
"All I wanted is to assist needy families access quality healthcare but only a few benefited. It couldn't serve both couples or children for lack of marriage documents," he said.
Kwale Senior principal Kadhi Saidi Hamisi Bezenga who led the marriage ceremony commended the couples for legalising their unions.
Bezenga said it will help them conform to Islamic law, keep off from sins and bring respect to their marriages.
"This is the only way for Muslim partners to become one and be recognised as husband and wife," he said.
The Kadhi said people should legalise their marriages as required by law regardless of whether they are Christian or Muslim.
He advised couples to always make their unions legal once they decide to live together and not just do it because of Ramadhan.
Bezenga advised the couples to stay loyal to their partners, take on their responsibilities in marriage and live in harmony.
Beneficiary Saidi Chando Mwiju who had lived with his partner for six years said he is happy to finally tie the knot.
Mwijo lives in Tsimba-Golini and is blessed with five children.
He said they will now perform their duties as Muslims peaceful and adhere to the Islamic marriage laws.
His wife Umazi Ndoi said after the union, she is confident with her marriage, knowing that it will last longer unlike when she wasn't legally married.
Another couple from Lunga-Lunga Rama Kombo Rashid and his wife Mwanasiti Suleiman Abdallah said they feel like they entered a new life after living for years in an illegal marriage.
The two said they are now stress-free and pleased to legalise their union.
Image: SHABAN OMAR