Religious Authority and Family Dispute Resolution among Moroccan Muslims in the Netherlands

Abstract

The article aims to provide an insight into how ‘ordinary’ Muslims look for workable solutions to family and marital disputes in line with their cultural and religious values. More specifically, it looks into the informal processes of reconciliation (sulh) with the assistance of imams of local mosques, primarily among Muslims with Moroccan roots in the Netherlands. Relevant questions that are addressed are: What types of disputes are settled within the (religious) community? Who are the authorities involved? How do they obtain, claim or create authority? Why do Muslim women and men choose these processes over formal litigation? What do they hope to gain from these processes? And what kind of solutions are offered to disputants?