JEDDAH — The Ministry of Social Affairs is working on a system aimed at regulating the traditional marriage arrangements which usually involves matchmakers and those who process marriage contracts known as “mazouns”. The ministry intends to involve charitable societies functioning under its supervision all over the Kingdom in the process, while preserving the traditional individual efforts usually carried out by matchmakers and “mazouns”. Many cultures use matchmakers as a means of finding appropriate marriage partners and they are often considered as trusted mediators. Since it is a practiced tradition here as well, “match making is looked at as a serious job.” In setting up the new regulations, the ministries of Justice and Interior are also involved, according to a source. He added that the new regulations would come into affect after an extensive study in order to ensure the safety of the concerned parties, and specifically the couple whose union is being planned. The Ministry of Social Affairs will decide the most suitable mechanism for the implementation of the new rules and considers the setting up of sections or assigning individuals to carry out the mediation between two parties without upsetting the role of “mazouns”. Latest statistics released by the Ministry of Justice indicate that 148,000 took place in 2011 against 31,000 divorces. — SG
