Sheikh Mohamed El-Moctar El-Shinqiti, Director of the Islamic Center of South Plains, Lubbock, Texas, states: “Based on what was issued by the European Council for Fatwa and Research, which is composed of a number of Muslim scholars from different parts of the world especially those living among Muslim minorities, civil divorce is counted and is considered valid. Therefore, couples don’t need to obtain a Shari`i divorce, and a lady can re-marry after the expiry of her `iddah (waiting period).