Converting to Islam

toucan

Hello Anshu I believe in order to get married in Bali that both partners need to be the same religion and that this is what you are referring to. You have said that "I know I must convert on paper for the marriage" and "it is a formality". The other option would be for your prospective spouse to convert to Buddism for the purposes of the marriage. Compromise on both sides is always healthy in any relationship so I am sure these discussions will help you both in understanding each other more before you take the big step into marriage. Hopefully you will be able to work together to reach a decision which makes both of you happy.

Roy

I don’t know of any away around that formality that requires both spouses to be of the same religion. The last Christian/Muslim wedding we attended, the conversion to Islam was conducted just prior to the wedding itself, and if one didn’t understand one could easily have thought that process was just a part of the wedding ceremony itself. Good luck to you both!

Anshu

Hello everyone! My boyfriend and I have decided to marry!!!! He is from Java but we both decided to get married in Bali, as that is where we plan to live for 6 months of the year. He is Muslim and I am Buddhist. I know I must convert on paper for the marriage certificate I am having a difficult time with it. I did not think I would as much as I am. His family is coming from Java to witness. We have discussed many hours about how it is a formality and I will remain my own religion afterwords. We do have open conversations and GREAT communication about all religions, it seems so simple and so complexed at the same time. I have done loads of research as I do with anything I am doing... Just wanted to hear anyones experiences... It is always helpful to get other perspectives! Is there any way of getting around the converting bit? Any insight would be helpful... Thank you, :D

milan

CONGRATULATIONS! Like I did write on your other post that you did sound happy, so I wasn't that wrong after all, huh? And as for religions, I for one come from a family who's multi-religions. I have already written on one of the posts here that my father was Bahai; mother Muslim; one brother Muslim; 4 brothers, one sister and myself are Protestants. My husband is Catholic, and I went to Catholic school and Sundays school as a child. A friend of mine here who is a Javanese Muslim (I'm afraid I can't elaborate on this too much as otherwise some might know who I am) but let's say she comes from an excellent family who's married to Italian who's a Catholic and comes from an excellent family too and whose daughter is Catholic. All I can tell you is "respect" towards each other's religion and that's all there is to it. Simple, no fuss and works wonderfully.

mimpimanis

Hi Anshu You might like to join OIM (Our Indonesian Men) a forum for women married to or in relationships with Indonesian men. The topic of conversion is one that frequently comes up there. http://groups.msn.com/ourindonesianmen

Ipanema

Hi Anshu You might like to join OIM (Our Indonesian Men) a forum for women married to or in relationships with Indonesian men. The topic of conversion is one that frequently comes up there. http://groups.msn.com/ourindonesianmen

I have been trying to join this organisation for months but when I click on the link I have a blank pages. Any help would be appreciated. I am marrying in March and will convert to Muslim and I have been told that my finance will take me to hisMosque and I have to repeat what the Imam says.

Anshu

Thank you Mimpi Manis... Great name! I tried as well to get into the page and it is blank....Any other ways in... :D Thank you! Tina where is your wedding going to be?

Ipanema

Anshu I am getting married in Makassar in a tradionanl Buginese wedding. :D

mimpimanis

I can get onto the site fine but I am already a member so maybe that is why. You have to have a net passport or hotmail account to join, it should be taking you to a page where you sign up, as you have to be a member to view the forum too. The manager of the forum is a freind of mine and we talk online every day, so I will mention the problems you are having. But if you wanted to let me have your email addresses I could "recommened the group to you" that might work. Send me your email address in a PM if you would like to try.

Bert Vierstra

It is not necessary to convert..... It is possible to do a civil marriage only..... http://www.indonesiamatters.com/713/a-mixed-marriage/

Ipanema

Bert For the marriage to be recognised by the Australia government it must be registered with the Indonesian government. As my fiance is coming to live in Australia on the proposed spouse visa it has to be all legal. I guess if we were living in Indonesia it would be difference but I have no problem converting. Tina

Bert Vierstra

Its not illegal to do a civil marriage only.... Maybe you meant religious marriage only ???? This considered not "legal", except the Muslim version....

Jimbo

Mine was both the religious and the civil. Onyy the civil was accepted by the British government.

charlie

Hey Tina The civil marriage that Bert mentions is the only one recognised by the Australian Government if marrying in Indonesia.

Ipanema

Hi all, My understanding is we get married in the Mosque and then go to a government office and register it. Hope I am right. Tina

mimpimanis

Hi Tina I have been to a lot of Muslim weddings in Lombok, non in a mosque. Always at homes, with tarpualins put up to keep off the sun, the homes are decorated, chairs are rented food is provided.

Anshu

I understand we are having a religious ceremony and as well as a civil ceremony We are looking in Bali around Ubud-Sanur-Symynuak- Area We are having troubles finding someone to officiate the wedding??? And where is a civil office in Bali??? I have been looking all over.... ????

Anshu

We have decided to have a muslim religious ceremony in Bali and a ceremony to honor my buddhist religion in Canada... And we are working on blending the two religions and celebrating the common threads into our life...All about comprimise and communication.... So we are seeking a Muslim official who can perform the wedding in Bali..??? Anyone know where to look or who to call??? June 5 is coming fast!!! :D Thank you very much! :)

Anshu

PPS...lol The priest is called a Penghulu anyone know how to find one outside of a package deal over the internet???

Jimbo

Just one final thing for you to consider. When you have converted Islam does not allow you to change your religion. Not to put you off but just giving you a fact,.