JEDDAH — The Justice Ministry has disciplined 17 mazouns (marriage officials) over the past six months for violating its rules and regulations. In an official report issued by its department of marriage officials, the ministry said the violations included concluding marriage contracts based on the guardianship of a single brother without making any reference to the document listing all the inheritors. It said the violations also included writing marriage contracts before the issuance of a premarital medical examination certificate and marrying off divorced women without mentioning in the contract that they had been married before. The sanctions consisted of the cancellation of two mazouns' licenses, suspension of seven licenses and final warnings against the remaining eight officials. The ministry warned all the marriage officials to adhere strictly to its rules and regulations in conducting marriage contracts. To be awarded an official license to officiate marriages, the mazoun should be holder of a university degree in Shariah subjects, under 25 years of age and possess a good character. He should also bring recommendations from two people holding high positions and with high certificates in Islamic studies. – SG
