the Civil Status (Muslim Family Council) Regulations 2005, he will state whether consideration will be given…
(No. B/963) Dr. F. Aumeer (Third Member for Port Louis South & Port Louis Central) asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister of Finance, Minister for Rodrigues and Outer Islands whether, in regard to the Civil Status (Muslim Family Council) Regulations 2005, he will state whether consideration will be given for a further extension of the deadline for the registration of Muslim religious marriages celebrated over the periods January 1982 to 13 November 1987 and 01 December 1990 to 21 August 2022, in respect of persons who have failed to effect same within the prescribed time limit, for their eligibility to the Basic Widow’s Pension and, if not, indicating the alternative measures, if any, being envisaged.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Finance Act 2022 introduced amendments to the Civil Status (Muslim Family Council) Regulations 2005 to provide for the registration of Muslim religious marriages celebrated in accordance with Muslim rites, other than civilly, during the periods from 01 January 1982 to 13 November 1987 and from 01 December 1990 to 21 August 2022. Under these transitional provisions, where such marriages remained unregistered as at 22 September 2022, both spouses, or the surviving female spouse could apply to the Muslim Family Council for its registration, provided that the application was made no later than 31 December 2022. The purpose of this measure was to allow spouses through religious marriages celebrated according to Muslim rites, other than civil marriages, during the period mentioned, to make applications to the Council for the registration of their marriage, and if the marriage was registered by the Council, to qualify for the Basic Widow’s Pension. I am informed by the Muslim Family Council that, during the registration exercise, 368 applications were received. Of these, 322 applications were approved and certificates of registration were issued, including 109 submitted by surviving spouses. There were 46 applications which were refused for non-fulfilment of the prescribed requirements, of which, 31 were submitted by surviving spouses. I am further informed that, after the expiry of the registration period on 31 December 2022, an additional 38 applications for registration were received from surviving spouses. As the statutory deadline had expired, those applications could not be processed. However, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to inform the House that the issue of granting a further extension of the deadline for the registration of Muslim religious marriages is presently under consideration.
Yes!
Thank you, hon. Prime Minister for your answer. May I request you, in the event that this consideration is agreed, that adequate communique be circulated by the Muslim Family Council so that these 38 women, as you said, can have at least their pension being paid to them in due time? Thank you for the compassion that you have shown in answering this question.
Yes, this will have to be communicated.
The hon. Fourth Member for Port Louis North and Montagne Longue! PENSION REFORM – COMMISSION OF EXPERTS - MEMBERS - REVOCATION