Interfaith

Interfaith Marriage

Muslim & Orthodox Christian

By: Kat Cloud and Jessica Harrington

Contents

• Background: Muslim- Beliefs- Traditions- Rules- Customs

• Background: Orthodox Christian- Traditions- Beliefs- Rules

• Can a Muslim man marry a Christian women?

• Can an Orthodox Christian man marry a Muslim women?

Background: Muslim

• Follow the teachings from the Qur’an (Koran)

• God is called Allah– An unisex name relative to

everyone• Muhammed is the main prophet/

messenger• Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses,

and Jesus are all considered prophets • Two denominations

– Sunni (75-90%)– Shia (10-20%)

• Highest concentration is in South Asia

Locations Number of believers (percentage)

South Asia 25%Middle East 20 %Sub-Sahara Africa 15%

Indonesia 13%

BeliefsSHAHADAH:no god but Allah and

Mohammed is his only

messenger SALAAH: Pray five times a day. Prayers are said at dawn, mid-day, late-afternoon, sunset and nightfall.

Zakaat: is charity given to the poor and needy,

means "purification."

Saum: is fasting in

September.

Hajj: is to visit the Kaba, in

Mecca during the Islamic

month of Zul – Hijjah

Five Pillars of Islam

Traditions

The only requirement is the signing of a marriage contract

Most marriages are not held in mosques

Men and women remain separate during the ceremony and reception.

Any Muslim who understands Islamic Tradition can officiate the wedding

If you are having your wedding in a mosque, many have marriage officers, called qazi or madhun, who can oversee the marriage.

RulesMeher:

• meher -- a formal statement specifying the monetary amount the groom will give the bride.

• There are two parts to the meher: a prompt due before the marriage is consummated and a deferred amount given to the bride throughout her life.

Nikah:

• a ceremony, where the groom or his representative proposes to the bride in front of at least two witnesses,

• stating the details of the meher.

• Then the couple and two male witnesses sign the contract, making the marriage legal according to civil and religious law.

Vows and Blessings:

• a recitation of the Fatihah -- the first chapter of the Quran

• Most Muslim couples do not recite vows;

• Instead their speaks about the meaning of marriage and responsibilities to each other and Allah.

CustomsMarriage in Islam is viewed as a religious obligation, a contract between the couple and Allah.

Orthodox Christian background

• A derivation of Christianity.• Follows the bible.• Orthodox church separated in 11th century after centuries

of disagreement

• 225 million orthodox Christian around the world• Greece• Cyprus• Turkey• Moldova• Russia• Romania

Traditions

• A wedding normally takes place during the morning hours• Orthodox church members receive communion on the Sunday

before the marriage ceremony.• The Bride and Groom fast prior to the ceremony.• On the wedding day, the Bride and Groom approach the

confessional and Holy Communion in order that they cleanse themselves of all sin and come pure before the marriage altar.

• The Bride wears a veil during the wedding service and during the reception that follows.

• No exchange of vows

1. The Betrothal2. The Crowning3. The Scripture Readings4. The Joining of Hands and Procession5. The Final Blessing

Beliefs

• Believe in:– God the Father– Jesus Christ– Holy Spirit.

• God is Creator of heaven and earth

Rules

• The Groomsmen, or best man, must be of Orthodox faith. • Other witnesses, ushers and Bridesmaids may be

non-Orthodox• The Orthodox church allows interfaith marriages, if the non

orthodox partner converts. • If the non orthodox partner doesn’t convert then the

ceremony cannot be held in an Orthodox church.

Can an Orthodox Christian man marry a Muslim women?

Challenges :• Cannot be married in an Orthodox Church

–Or someone has to convert religion

• Becomes more difficult to baptize children, but possible

Consequences:• Lose of Sacramental Privileges• Remain in bad standing with Orthodox Church• Disownment from family and friends

Can a Muslim man marry an Orthodox Christian women?

• Men are allowed to marry "people of the book", Christians and Jews.

• A Christian wife has the same rights and duties as a Muslim woman:– Economic Stability -support – The Meher (dowry)– Religion

• Some demand that the Christian wife should convert • The husband is not allowed to ban his wife from visiting Church• He can forbid her to leave their house during Christian festivals or

attend a worship service• a Christian wife can mention her Muslim children in her will, but

her Christian children remain excluded.

References

• http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-ceremony/articles/muslim-wedding-ceremony-rituals.aspx?MsdVisit=1

• http://english.islammessage.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?articleId=654

• http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/marriage/interfaith/marrynonchristians/conchal

• http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/how-christians-and-muslims-can-marry--the-official-guide-8348954.html

• http://www.islamswomen.com/marriage/fiqh_of_marriage_8.php

• http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/denominations/orthodoxy.htm#sthash.K2LCLVro.dpuf

• http://www.antiochian.org/1123706696

• http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-programs/articles/orthodox-christian-wedding-program.aspx?MsdVisit=1

• http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/marriage/interfaith/general-readings/orthodoxchristiansintermarry