MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM – Medan Mayor Rico Tri Putra Bayu Waas has emphasized the importance of establishing standardized operating procedures (SOPs) for the Ijab Kabul process in Islamic marriage ceremonies. He urged the Association of Indonesian Marriage Registrars (APRI) in Medan to develop clear and uniform guidelines to reinforce both the sacred nature of the ceremony and administrative order.
The statement was delivered during a meeting with APRI Medan at the mayor's official residence on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Call for Uniform Ijab Kabul Procedures
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Drawing from his personal experience as a wedding witness, he said these differences can sometimes disrupt the solemn atmosphere of the religious rite.
"I have often seen different procedures being applied. At times, I even had to explain to the couple what they were supposed to say. Ideally, there should be a clear agreement beforehand so everything runs consistently," he said.
He stressed that a standardized system would provide greater certainty for couples and help avoid unnecessary confusion during one of the most important moments in their lives.
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Rico further underscored that improving procedural consistency is essential to enhancing public trust in civil and religious marriage services in the city.
Firm Stance Against Unregistered Marriages
The city government, together with APRI, also reaffirmed its commitment to reducing nikah siri—unregistered marriages that are conducted outside official legal registration systems.
Read Also: Medan Secures Two National Awards, Mayor Rico Waas Highlights Collective Achievement According to the mayor, such practices often create serious legal and administrative complications, particularly for women and children.
"Unregistered marriages make it difficult for families to access essential documents and legal rights. This must be addressed collectively," Rico stated.
APRI Launches Marriage Registration Awareness Program
In response, APRI Medan Chairman Ahmat Yani Siregar introduced the Gerakan Sadar Pencatatan Nikah (GAS) program, aimed at raising public awareness about the importance of officially registered marriages through the Religious Affairs Office.
Read Also: Modern Kartinis Inspire Women’s Empowerment in Medan "We want to ensure that no family faces administrative issues simply because their marriage was not registered. Ideally, after the ceremony, couples should immediately receive not only a marriage certificate but also family cards and identity documents," he explained.
Free Mass Wedding Planned at Car Free Day Event
As part of its outreach initiative, APRI also plans to host a free mass wedding under the Car Free Day Wedding Expo program, scheduled for May 3 at Lapangan Merdeka, Medan. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Darmailawati | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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