Jakarta. A prominent leader of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has reiterated the prohibition against Muslims marrying people of different faiths.

Muhammad Cholil Nafis, head of the MUI’s Islamic Teachings and Brotherhood Division, said Islam strictly prohibits its adherents from marrying non-Muslims, although there exist varying interpretations regarding Muslim men marrying women of different faiths.

In a statement recently shared on the social media platform X, Nafis addressed reports of a celebrity marriage between Rizky Febian, a Muslim, and his girlfriend Mahalini, who was born into Hinduism, a religion followed by the majority of Balinese natives.

The traditional wedding ceremony for both singers is scheduled to take place later today in Bali.

"Muslim scholars have reached a consensus that a Muslim woman is forbidden from marrying a non-Muslim man, while opinions differ regarding the marriage of a Muslim man to a non-Muslim woman -- some consider it permissible, while others disagree," Cholil explained.

However, regardless of these differences, leaders and clerics from the MUI, Nahdlatul Ulama, and Muhammadiyah have unanimously agreed that either case of marriage is incompatible with Islamic principles, he added.

"The MUI has issued a fatwa declaring interfaith marriage as both haram (forbidden) and unlawful," he said.

Rizky and Mahalini have publicly disclosed their romantic relationship since early 2022. Their engagement took place on May 7 last year, and the official wedding ceremony in Jakarta on Tuesday will mark their anniversary.

For years, human rights activists and academics have criticized the government for the absence of legislation on interfaith marriage.

Under current state law, a marriage is recognized only if conducted in accordance with religious laws and teachings. This means that couples of different religions cannot marry each other unless one party converts to the religion of their future spouse.