In a push towards equality, Morocco will soon allow women to become marriage officiators.
Women will soon be able to authorize marriages, divorces and a number of other legal contracts.
The changes are all part of judicial reforms, which will begin in October, according to The New Arab. The initiative was started by Mustafa al-Ramid, former minister of justice and liberties.
"It is vital for women to engage in various fields as advisers, ministers, judges, professors, lawyers, police officers and so on," Mohammed Bolouz, a researcher in social sciences, told The New Arab.
The ma'zoon (marriage officiator in Arabic) has always been a man in the country as per law, which forbade women from officiated marriages or divorces.
"We cannot prevent women from their rights simply because of customs and traditions," Bolouz said.
Despite the move being a step in the right direction, many have condemned the decision, claiming that allowing women to officiate marriages goes against religious teachings.
Marriage registrar, Abdullatif Ajlawe, is one example.
"Feminising the profession in Morocco is not in line with religious teachings," Ajlawe told The New Arab.
"According to religious law, women cannot officiate marriages for legitimate reasons."
Ajlawe also questioned the "ability of women to carry out the profession, as it is highly demanding," adding that any "inadequacies in justice system cannot be remedied through the inclusion of women."
However, Bolouz definitely disagrees.
"Religious law does not stipulate the condition of 'masculinity' for officiating marriages, which confirms that Moroccan women can carry out the tasks just like men," he explained.
The law is expected to pass in October. The marriage registrar must be a Moroccan Muslim with no criminal records.