(Dominion Post) An Islamic marriage contract or nikah is enforceable under New Zealand law, but needs cultural context, the Court of Appeal has decided.
It is the first time the question of enforceability of a nikah — under which a husband is required to provide a gift or mahr to the wife — has been considered.
A mahr is usually of monetary value and is given in part before the marriage and in part on either death or divorce.
Under the marriage contract signed in Dubai, Wellington dentist Rafid Salih was to pay a mahr of about $12,000 to Rahla Hussein Amin Harder Almarzooqi at the start of their marriage.
