Succariyeh has not given up hope that her civil marriage will be upheld

Story Summary

After Lebanon’s president gave his full backing to the introduction of civil marriage, various voices, including the highest Sunni authority, have spoken against it, ignoring the interests and the aspirations of those advocating national unity through knocking down barriers.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani said Monday that those in support of civil marriage were trying to introduce a “germ” into the country, as if this basic right was somehow dangerous, or evil.

More than that, the lack of civil marriage can also be seen to contradict the Constitution itself.

Sleiman has also urged the interior minister to re-examine the case of the first civil marriage in Lebanon, after it appeared it would not be granted official status.

All voices, not just presidential, are now needed to support civil marriage as a human right

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Editorial/2013/Jan-30/204245-sectarian-shackles.ashx#ixzz2JResLWfi
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)