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ouples due to marry will be obliged to undergo a pre-marriage course as part of a campaign to curb divorce rates and domestic violence, says a government official.

Imam Haromain Asyari, head of the East Java Religious Office, said on completing the course, which is expected to last for three weeks, the couple will get a certificate to marry.

He said the course would be compulsory for everyone, including foreign Muslim citizens getting married under Indonesian law.  

“A would-be married couple will obtain a certificate as a requirement to get married after attending the course,” Imam told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

The Directorate General for the Guidance of the Muslim Community already prepared  regulations last year and this would be implemented soon, according to Imam.

He played down suggestions the course would be a mere formality, although his office would not make it  difficult for the couple to do it.

“The course aims to provide knowledge and understanding to the would-be married couple before living together so they could make a successful family,” he said.

Course materials will include reproductive health, family planning, financial management, child` education and marriage according to sharia law.

“The course will take place for up to three weeks at the respective religious affairs offices. We will work together with the National Family Planning Coordinating Board [BKKBN] and a number of financial experts and psychologists,” he said.

Imam said the course was to help curb rising divorce rates due to economic problems, polygamy, physical abuse and extra-marital affairs.

Based on data at the Directorate General for the Guidance of the Muslim Community, Surabaya ranks top in terms of its divorce rate compared to other major cities, like Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Medan and Makassar.

From 2000 to 2007, cumulative divorce cases stood at 48,374 in Surabaya, 30,900 in Bandung, 39,083 in Semarang and 5,193 in Jakarta.

From January to March 2008, the divorce cases in Surabaya were recorded at 1,423 compared to 1,196 in the corresponding period in 2007. The data shows the decision to break up was mostly initiated by wives, who filed for divorce due to disharmony, economic problems, forced marriage, polygamy and abuse.

The government is drafting a law on marriage, by which those involved in nikah siri, contractual marriage or mut’ah, and those not registered in the office, could face up to three years in jail and be fined up to Rp 12 million (about US$1,200).   

A nikah siri marriage is usually held in front of a Muslim “cleric” not authorized by the Religious Ministry but valid within Islamic law provided that witnesses are present. However, very often nikah siri is done rather secretly and without witnesses.