Saudi scholars slam move

Riyadh: Saudi Muslim scholars and propagators have denounced the appointment of an Egyptian woman in the post of a Mazun (Islamic marriage attorney).

In statements to Gulf News they said this step opens all doors for women, adding that this trend runs contrary to the teachings of Islamic Sharia.

Shaikh Dr Abdul Rahman Bin Shraim Al Azahrani, a Saudi Sharia professor, said it was not permissible in Islam.

"Sharia does not allow women to assume such a job. During the era of the Prophet (PBUH), men were appointed as judges."

He added that this move contradicts the principles of Islamic Sharia, as woman will mix with men during the registration process for marriage contracts.

Shaikh Dr Ahmad Al Mouaba, researcher and legal marriage attorney, described the Egyptian fatwa (Islamic legal opinion) allowing women to assume the post of a mazun as "wrong".

"Never during the era of the Prophet (PBUH) or his righteous companions, was a woman appointed to perform this task. No woman has been reported to have concluded the wedding contract of another woman," he said.

Mohammad Al Torair, a Saudi Muslim propagator, also rejected the appointment of a woman as a mazun. Impurity, menstruation and puerperium prevent one from reading the holy Quran or even touching the holy book, he said.