REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The interfaith marriage is still one of the most complicated and sensitive issues in Indonesia. Secretary General of the Lawmaking Body (Katib Aam) of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), KH Malik Madani said that NU - the largest Islamic organization in Indonesia - rejected the interfaith marriage because Indonesia had been protected by the Marriage Law No. 1/1974.

In Indonesia, all religions require a marriage of two people who have the same religion. Marriage is not just a physical relationship, but also bond of religion.

"It is not only in Islam, but almost all religions in Indonesia," Madani said on Tuesday.

In Islamic law, there is a provision allowing a Muslim to marry non-Muslim woman, but the woman must a Jewish scribes or Christian. However, a Muslim woman cannot marry a man from other religions except Islam.

According to Madani, the interfaith marriage is not good for children's personality. They may feel confused because of religious differences among their parents.

Last week, a group of law students and alumni from the University of Indonesia filed a petition for a judicial review at the Constitutional Court. If successful, it will legalize the interfaith marriage in Indonesia. The petitioners argue that the 1974 Law on Marriage, which requires all marriages in Indonesia to be conducted according to respective religious beliefs of the bride and groom, violates the Constitution and principles of Pancasila.

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