KUCHING, Nov 4: Weddings for Muslim couples who have obtained permission to marry in Sarawak may be held at their respective Islamic affairs division or district office as well as the Sarawak Islamic Council (SIC)’s premises during the National Recovery Plan (NRP) period, under the new guidelines issue by Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS).
According to SIC in a statement today, the bride and groom and their entourages must not involve individuals who are from the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) area.
“The bride, groom and their entourage should also not include anyone with close contact to Covid-19 positive cases or under the House Surveillance Order (HSO),” it said.
Those who wished to attend the ceremony must have completed two doses of Covid-19 vaccination as well as check-in via MySejahtera and show their health status in the application to the registration officer for the wedding ceremony.
“Only low-risk individuals are allowed to attend the ceremony, including individuals with body temperatures below 37.5 degrees Celsius. They must also follow standard operating procedures such as wearing facemasks, using hand sanitiser, refrain from handshakes, and adhering to the schedule set.
“Exchanges of rings and gifts are also not are allowed. This includes the celebration feast,” the statement said.
The council also pointed out that for weddings that will be conducted in the Islamic affairs office in the district or division, the number of guests should not exceed 10 individuals (including the marriage official and marriage witness), subject to the capacity of the premises.
“This include practising physical distancing of at least 2 metres, and the marriage ceremony should not exceed 20 minutes, including the recitation of ‘taklik’,” it said.
SIC said marriage ceremonies allowed to be held on its premises such as mosques and surau must have the permission of the council and the management committee (JKP), and should not be held 30 minutes before and after the ‘Solat Fardhu’.
“The total time for the marriage ceremony should not exceed 40 minutes, attendance is limited to 20 people (including the marriage official and marriage witness) and subject to the capacity of the premises.
“The ‘akad nikah’ also must be held in a special space provided by the committee, and everyone must mind their manners while in the mosque,” it added. — DayakDaily
