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A campaign group has come out strongly against Shariah marriages and called for several measures to be put into place to strengthen the civil framework of marriage.

The Coalition for Marriage (C4M) suggested in a statement on Wednesday that Britain’s marriage laws and protections for women and children are being undermined by confusion over religious and civil ceremonies, which is leading to "parallel" marriages.

It said that Minister for Courts Sarah Sackman had “got it wrong” when she told Parliament that people appearing before Shariah councils do so “in common with Christian, Jewish and other courts of faith.”

C4M said her claim was inaccurate because only civil marriages create legal rights and duties in the U.K., and that while Christian and Jewish weddings are integrated into that legal system "through authorized officiants and registered places," Shariah marriages "don't comply" unless a civil marriage is also conducted.

"Stop legitimizing private forums as ‘courts’ in official speech," C4M said.

"There is no parity with the family courts in law or effect."

The coalition wants Sackman to "return to the House to correct the record."

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