Different Religions, These 6 Celebrity Couples Prefer to Get Married Abroad

Kapanlagi.com - Wedding ceremonies are meaningful moments in everyone's life. For those who have different beliefs, determining the wedding location becomes a challenging task.

Many public figure couples decide to have their weddings in other countries due to their differing beliefs. They believe that differences in beliefs are not obstacles in building a household. Therefore, they choose to have their weddings abroad because in Indonesia, the law does not support interfaith marriages.

Want to know more about public figures with different beliefs who get married abroad? Find out more on Thursday (25/04/2024).

1. Rio Febrian and Sabria Kono

The artist couple chose to get married abroad due to their religious differences. (Photo: Rio Febrian and Sabria Kono/Instagram)

Rio Febrian and Sabria Kono, two Indonesian artists, held their wedding in Bangkok, Thailand, due to their religious differences. Rio is a Christian while Sabria is a Muslim. The wedding took place on February 3, 2010.

Despite having different religious backgrounds, their marriage bond has been filled with harmony and tranquility. Now, their family has grown with the presence of two sons, Jamaika Fosteriano and Kalampati Sinarra Febrian.

2. Kimmy Jayanti and Greg Nwokolo

Artist couples choose to marry abroad because of different religions. (Photo: Kimmy Jayanti and Greg Nwokolo/Instagram)

Kimmy Jayanti, who is a Hindu, married Greg Nwokolo, a Christian football player. Their wedding ceremony took place in Perth, Australia, on May 20, 2018. Through Insta Story, Kimmy expressed their agreement to educate their children in the Christian faith.

She also revealed her reason for not wanting to convert religions because of marriage. "I have believed in this religion long before finding my soulmate. When we live our lives well and righteously, we will be easily accepted without having to ask about our religion," she said in March 2019.

3. Irfan Bachdim and Jennifer Kurniawan

Artist couples choose to marry abroad because of different religions. (Photo: Marcell Siahaan and Rima Melati Adams/Instagram)

Irfan Bachdim, a Muslim football player, married Jennifer Kurniawan, who is a Christian, in Stuttgart, Germany on July 8, 2011. After marriage, they chose to keep their beliefs private.

However, on social media, they always show mutual respect for each other's religions. They celebrate Christmas and Eid and now have four children.

4. Marcell Siahaan and Rima Melati Adams

Celebrity couples choose to get married abroad due to different religions (Photo: Marcell Siahaan and Rima Melati Adams/Instagram)

Marcell Siahaan and Rima Melati Adams are also artist couples who marry different religions. Their wedding celebration was held in Singapore on January 28, 2009. At that time, Marcell embraced the Buddhist faith.

Meanwhile, Rima, a native of Singapore, is a Muslim. However, in 2012, Marcell decided to join the same religion as Rima, which is Islam.

“Rima shows Islam in her own way. She shows how her family applies Islamic teachings that make me comfortable,” he said in Daniel Mananta Network's YouTube channel on March 31, 2021.

5. Jeremy Thomas and Ina Indayanti

Celebrity couples choose to get married abroad due to different religions. (Photo: Jeremy Thomas and Ina Indayanti/Instagram/@jeremythomas_jt)

Jeremy Thomas, a Catholic, married Ina Indayanti, who is a Muslim, in Singapore in 1995. Initially, their religious differences were not considered an issue.

But over time, Ina decided to embrace her husband's religion. "I never forced her to convert. I just told her, 'If you want to convert for me, that's okay. But if not, it's not a problem,'" said Jeremy Thomas.

6. Ari Sihasale and Nia Zulkarnaen

The celebrity couple chooses to get married abroad because of different religions (Photo: Ari Sihasale and Nia Zulkarnaen/Instagram)

The romantic story between Ari Sihasale and Nia Zulkarnaen is truly captivating. In 1994, they started dating but eventually separated due to their religious differences. Later, Nia married Alexander David Siahaan, a racer, in 1998.

Unfortunately, their marriage lasted only four years before Alexander passed away in 2002. After being a widow for a year, Nia reconnected with Ari. They decided to get married despite having different religions in Perth, Australia, in 2003.

7. Celebrities Who Marry Different Religions Abroad?

1. Jeremy Thomas and Ina Indayanti.

2. Frans Mohede and Amara.

3. Ari Sihasale and Nia Zulkarnaen.

4. Yuni Shara and Henry Siahaan.

5. Marcell Siahaan and Rima Melati Adams.

6. Rio Febrian and Sabria Kono.

7. Sarah Sechan and Neil G Furuno.

8. Can You Get Married with Different Religions Abroad?

Interfaith marriages held in foreign countries are recognized as valid if they comply with the applicable laws in that country.

9. Can Singapore Allow Interfaith Marriages?

Singapore, which follows the common law legal system, has regulations regarding interfaith marriages. The Singapore government refers to the Women's Charter as the legal basis to support interfaith marriages.

10. Islamic Countries that Allow Interfaith Marriages?

Zico Simanjuntak, a lawyer specializing in interfaith marriage cases, revealed that Tunisia, despite 99 percent of its population being Muslim, allows marriages between individuals of different faiths. This issue became a topic of discussion in the Constitutional Court (MK) session with opinions from members of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).

11. Can Interfaith Marriages Happen in Indonesia?

From the previous explanation, marriages in Indonesia must follow only one religion. Therefore, interfaith marriages cannot be legally recognized, and if continued, such marriages are considered invalid and against regulations.

(kpl/nov)