Tunisia repeals ban on Muslim women's marriage of non-Muslims

Tunisia has repealed a decades-old law banning Muslim women from marrying non-Muslims as part of moves aimed at enhancing women's rights in the country.

Spokeswoman for the presidency Saida Garrach said on Thursday that the ban, which dated back to 1973, had been scrapped.

It is believed that the repeal takes effect immediately in the majority-Muslim country.

"Congratulations to Tunisia's women on establishing the right to freedom of choosing the partner," Garrach wrote on her Facebook page.

The law obliged a non-Muslim man to convert to Islam before he could marry a Muslim woman.

Last month, Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi proposed dropping the ban and granting equal inheritance rights to women.

Under Islamic Sharia law, a Muslim daughter inherits half the share a son gets. 

Tunisia's constitution, adopted in 2014, stipulates that Islam is the religion of the state.

Essebsi's proposals have triggered controversy inside Tunisia, which has long been seen as progressive in boosting women's rights compared to other Arab countries.    (dpa)

Related articles on Qantara.de:

Interview with Habib Selmi: "Tunisians are mature enough"

Ennahda – the new Muslim Democrats: A blessing for Tunisian democracy?

Tunisian blogger Lina Ben Mhenni: Voicing concerns of women