Burma: New marriage system for religious leaders proves life wasn't meant to be easy - especially in Burma

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Maungdaw, Arakan State: A new system has been brought into force by the Nasaka Director of Maungdaw township in northern Arakan for marriage purposes for Ullema (religious leaders), since November 20, said a village elder on condition of anonymity.

The system is only for Ullemas who have studied in Arabic language in Madrasas (Arabic schools) and have a brand. Earlier, Ullemas were allowed to get marriage permission with a brand. But those who were not Ullemas were required to be clean shaven for getting permission to marry.

However, since November 20, the Ullemas need recommendation letter from Maulana Sayedul Amin who is the Chairman of Union of Ullema (religious leaders). Maulana Sayedul Amin lives in Maungdaw north and is the principal of Maung Nama village Madrasa.

To get permission to marry from Nasaka (Burma's border security force) Ullemas need recommendation letters from Village Peace and Development Council (VPDC) where they have to pay kyat at least 10,000. And then, the Ullema have to go to Union of Ullema with his education certificate to get recommendation letters that the Ullema is of good haracter and a genuine Ullema. Maulana Sayedul Amin is authorized to give recommendation letters to the Ullema candidates, said a local school teacher.

Besides, the bridegroom has to submit an application to the concerned Nasaka camp along with his all documents through a broker, where he has to pay kyat 30,000. The candidate has also to buy five different Forms from VPDC office by paying kyat 3,000.

After checking all the documents of an applicant, the clerk or concerned authority sends all the documents to the local Nasaka Area Commander. Then all the documents will be sent to the group 1, 2 and 3 of Nasaka for recheck and they call for two guarantors from the applicant.

After one or two months the applicant is called by the commander and given marriage permission where he can marry within a week or a month. The commander tells the applicant to have only two children.

The applicant has to spend at least kyat 50,000 to get a marriage permit, according to a new candidate who declined to give his name.

Published by Mike Hitchen, Mike Hitchen Consulting
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