Couple exchanges vows in virtual 'akad nikah' ceremony

PETALING JAYA: The ongoing movement control order (MCO) has not deterred a couple from tying the knot.

Newlyweds Muhammad Don Haadi Don Putra and Nahdatul Aishah Mohd Sharif became the first couple to go through the akad nikah (marriage solemnisation) ceremony via online video conferencing on Saturday (April 18).

In the video, the couple are seen seated in the living rooms of their respective houses, accompanied by family members.

The couple sit in front of television screens, looking at each other's image via a video conferencing application.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of Islamic Affairs Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri, said the wedding ceremony took place online following guidelines provided by the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) and the National Security Council (NSC).

"It is interesting as it only took less than 15 minutes. This effort is in line with the decision by the National Fatwa Council for Religious Affairs in Malaysia (MKI) to allow the solemnisation ceremony to be conducted online," Zulkifli said on his Facebook page on Saturday.

Zulkifli also congratulated the couple on their wedding.

A two-minute, 17-second video clip of the virtual solemnisation ceremony of the couple was also uploaded on Zulkifli's Facebook page.

Muhammad Don and Nahdatul Aishah were seen sitting in a living room, accompanied by their family members as they responded to recitation of their marriage vows.

Zulkifli was also seen in the video clip with the couple as they recited their marriage vows.