This paper focuses on a particular type of Islamic marriage, so-called imam marriages, which are not recognised by the Jordanian state but widely practised among and with Syrian refugees since their influx to Jordan in 2011. State institutions and European faith-based organisations advocate the registration of religious marriages on the basis of fulfilling UN conventions on gender and human rights.
Through a case study of Syrian refugees in Jordan, this paper offers new insights into the ambiguity inherent in the enforcement of marriage registration and the impact of humanitarian interventions on gender rights and the safety of displaced individuals in the Middle East. It further highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of gender justice and security and underscores the importance of considering the broader implications of such interventions, particularly on the lives and well-being of displaced people in the global south.