Marwan Charbel Signs off on Lebanon’s First Civil Marriage

Marking a momentous occurrence in the history of Lebanese rights, Naharnet reports that Kholoud Succariyeh and Nidal Darwish’s much anticipated Civil Marriage has finally been approved by Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel on Thursday.

This stands as the first ever civil marriage in Lebanon to be recognized legally, and to be recorded in the Directorate General for Personal Affairs in Lebanon.

Yet their marriage comes at a slight inconvenience, however minimal. Charbel explained that because there were no texts regarding inheritance, children or divorce for Succariyeh and Darwish’s union, they must each abide by their personal sect laws, those being Shia and Sunni. As of yet, there is no law dictating these legal transactions for civil marriages.

Though many politicians have risen to support the marriage (including President Michel Suleiman), others were not so appeased. Both Prime Minister Najib Miqati and Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani have voiced their disagreement about civil unions in the past, with the latter even issuing a fatwa against it.

Regardless, their union serves as a reminder that freedom of choice should be celebrated, and that love in all shapes and forms should never have to be defined.