Inter State Marriage Trends and Their Relevance to Domestic Harmony: A Study in Sambas West Kalimantan

Abstract

The phenomenon of inter-country marriage is one of the social trends that is growing rapidly in various border areas, including in Sambas Regency, West Kalimantan, which borders Malaysia directly. This interstate marriage is not only about administrative and civic aspects, but also has implications for domestic life, especially in terms of harmony, religious values, and culture. This study aims to examine the trend of interstate marriage in the Sambas region and analyze its relevance to domestic harmony in the perspective of Islamic Family Law. This study uses a qualitative approach with field study methods, in-depth interviews, and documentation of transnational married couples, and local religious leaders. The results of the study show that the main motives for interstate marriage in Sambas include economic factors, the openness of border areas, and social and cultural relations that have been established for a long time. However, in practice, intercountry marriages often face serious challenges such as cultural differences, worship practices, maintenance obligations, and marriage legal status that is not always clear nationally or internationally. From the perspective of Islamic Family Law, domestic harmony is highly dependent on the principles of mawaddah, rahmah, and shared responsibility between husband and wife, which must be built on an understanding of religious values and a strong commitment. Therefore, legal regulation and the development of cross-border premarriage are urgently needed so that interstate marriage does not become a source of conflict, but rather strengthens family ties and Islamic values in the midst of globalization dynamics.