About 2 in 5 Muslim couples call off divorce plans after counselling

Close to 40 per cent of more than 15,300 Muslim couples who were contemplating divorce in 2019 to 2023 decided to stay together after attending a mandatory marriage counselling programme.

And a study found that 80 per cent of people who attended the programme said they benefited from it and were more aware of their personal traits or behavioural traits that impacted their marriage.

These are among positive trends in the overall dissolution rates for Muslim marriages, which have been on the decline over the years, said Minister-in-charge for Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli on Feb 20.

A total of 1,200 Muslim couples divorced in 2023, down from 1,505 in 2022 and 1,767 in 2021.

These are significant developments, as keeping families intact will shield children from the long-term destabilising effect that divorce can have on them, Mr Masagos said.

He was speaking at an event organised by the Syariah Court of Singapore (SYC) to discuss best practices from the Marriage Counselling Programme (MCP).

The Syariah Court has been providing marriage counselling services since 1958, and the MCP was formalised in 2004 as an administrative pre-court programme.

In 2018, it became mandatory to attend the counselling programme for Muslims who wish to file for divorce. This has made a difference in saving marriages, Mr Masagos said.

From 2004 to 2024, 58,000 couples went through the MCP. Out of these, more than 15,300 referrals were for those contemplating divorce between 2019 and 2023.

Mr Masagos emphasised the vital role that the marriage counselling programme has played in nurturing resilient families.

Counselling is part of the Syariah Court's divorce process, which include mediation and social support programmes.

"Collectively, these efforts serve to save marriages, settle divorces amicably, and deliver just outcomes," Mr Masagos said.

"Ultimately, strong families are the foundation of what it means for us to be a community of success - one that can thrive in and contribute to our multi-racial and religious society in Singapore, and one that can continue to serve as an inspiration to others."

The study on the programme, commissioned by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the Syariah Court, also found that almost 70 per cent of those who attended counselling said they gained clarity on whether they should reconcile with their spouses.

If reconciliation is not possible, counsellors from the programme will support the couples to work through their divorce amicably.

Divorcing couples with minor children are also advised to consider their children's needs and learn co-parenting skills to minimise the negative impact of divorce on the young ones.

According to a presentation at the Syariah Court event, one man who attended the MCP in the midst of divorce said that having someone to guide him and his wife was useful.

"I felt like things were going nowhere if we didn't have a third party to assist us. In a conversation with my spouse, you throw bombs, I throw bombs and it's just like that. And worse, in front of the kids," said the man, who was among more than 300 respondents in the study.

"So when we sat for the counselling, I came to realise that someone's help can go a long way."