The nikkah ceremony (marriage ceremony), which sometimes is conducted at Mosques,
Islamic institutions or at home is a contractual agreement that can only be entered
into, according to established Islamic law principles, between a  man and a woman. 
This contract has no bearing on a civil ceremony of marriage between 2 people 
because Nikkah per say is not recognised by the law of the land. The nikkah is a 
ceremony that is undertaken by those who wish to sanctify their union in religious 
terms; this ceremony can be conducted anywhere and not necessary within a religious 
building. Therefore the issues within the Equality Bill do not affect 
religious 'marriage' ceremonies.    

Suleman Nagdi, spokesperson, Federation of Muslim Organisations.