Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court Upholds Ja’fari Sect in Personal Status Law Amendment

Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court Upholds Ja’fari Sect in Personal Status Law Amendment
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Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court ruled on Sunday in favor of the parliamentary procedures amending the Personal Status Law, dismissing a lawsuit filed by women’s and human rights organizations challenging the constitutionality of the changes.

The legal challenge targeted Law No. (1) of 2025, questioning the legitimacy of parliamentary voting sessions held in August 2024 and January 2025 and contesting specific provisions, including Article 1(a) related to the application of Ja’fari jurisprudence in marriage contracts and minor children.

Opponents argued that the law restricted contract amendments and allowed unilateral changes. However, the court rejected these claims, affirming the validity of the legislative process and confirming the Ja’fari sect’s recognized status within the amended law.

Parliamentary Legal Committee member Mohammed Jassim Al-Khafaji announced the verdict on social media, emphasizing the victory in preserving the constitutional integrity of the law. The ruling settles ongoing legal disputes and reinforces the sectarian provisions as legally binding within Iraq’s personal status framework.