Evangelicals Now

Uk News

• Islamic marriage: invalid

  Christian Concern

  The Court of Appeal ruled in February that Islamic marriages, or Nikahs, are not valid under English law.

  This clarifies that sharia marriages are not legally recognised at all in the UK. Muslim women have no legal protection if their husband divorces or leaves them or seeks another wife. Tim Dieppe said: ‘A requirement to register Islamic marriages would protect the women if their husband divorces or abandons them, and also act to prevent polygamy.’

• Pro-life for now

  The Christian Institute (CI)

  The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) will maintain its opposition to assisted suicide, following a survey of its members, it announced in February.

  The independent survey of 6,674 members – 13% of the RCGP – found that 47% oppose a change in the law on assisted suicide. Of the remainder, 40% felt there should be a change, 11% favoured neutrality, and 2% abstained. The RCGP said it would not review the position on assisted suicide for at least five years ‘unless there are significant developments on the issue’.