Tempo.Co, Jakarta – Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs is requiring prospective brides and grooms to undergo marriage counseling before getting married. The decision, which is expected to take effect in July, is based on the Director General of Islamic Guidance's Circular No. 2 of 2024 on Marriage Guidance for Prospective Brides and Grooms.
Agus Suryo Suripto, head of family development at the ministry's Directorate General of Islamic Community Guidance, said on March 25 that marriage counseling would be mandatory for prospective brides and grooms to marry. Couples who married without the counseling would not be able to print their marriage certificate until after the counseling.
He said the ministry will disseminate and socialize the regulation over a six-month period until the end of July 2024, involving related parties.
Suryo believes this regulation is crucial for the welfare and happiness of families in Indonesia. He added that marriage counseling will be mandatory for prospective brides and grooms without exception.
"This is also an effort to reduce stunting and improve family welfare," he said.