In a significant address to newly licensed marriage officers, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Legal Affairs Saddam Hosein has called for mandatory premarital counseling as a crucial measure against domestic violence. The minister delivered this urgent message during a licensing ceremony at Stollmeyer’s Castle in Port of Spain on December 8, where over thirty multi-faith marriage officers received their credentials.
Minister Hosein emphasized that while love forms the universal foundation of marriage across all religious traditions, couples must be properly prepared for the legal and social responsibilities that accompany matrimony. “Every religion teaches one universal principle: love,” Hosein stated. “But living in love is also a legal process, and that is where my ministry plays a critical role.”
The minister expressed particular concern about the troubling persistence of domestic violence, urging marriage officers to view premarital counseling as essential preparation rather than optional formality. He reminded attendees of their sacred duty to guide couples responsibly, stating this responsibility “must be exercised with care and integrity.”
Hosein simultaneously announced sweeping reforms to eliminate bureaucratic delays that have long plagued the marriage licensing system. He revealed discovering countless neglected applications upon taking office in April, blaming inter-agency conflicts and outdated paper-based systems for the inefficiencies. “I am absolutely fed up with the bureaucracy,” Hosein declared. “For far too long, red tape has imposed significant burdens on citizens and religious bodies.”
Registrar General Karen Bridgewater endorsed the minister’s reforms, praising his “common-sense approach” to consolidating previously scattered responsibilities. She noted that the restructuring has already eliminated longstanding bottlenecks and improved systemic efficiency. Bridgewater further emphasized the officers’ dual role as both solemnizers of marriages and strengtheners of the national social fabric, describing marriage as “the foundation of family life” and families as “the core upon which our nation is built.”
While acknowledging that numerous applications remain pending, Hosein characterized the December 8 ceremony as symbolic progress toward a more efficient and responsible marriage licensing system. The minister concluded by urging officers to promote a culture that “spreads love rather than hate” throughout Trinidad and Tobago.