Katb al-kitab
The Arab signing of the marriage contract, often an event of its own before the wedding party.
Also: kitab al-kitab, katb el-kitab, ketb el ketab, writing of the book
Katb al-kitab, writing the book, is the Egyptian and Levantine name for the signing of the Islamic marriage contract. A sheikh or a registrar, the maazoun, sits with the groom and the bride's guardian, the contract is read, the mahr named and the witnesses sign. It may be held at home or a mosque with the families, and a party follows with sweets. It makes the couple legally married, and the wedding party, farah, can come later. The transliteration varies widely, including kitab al-kitab.
Region: Middle East