Is the presence of two marriage witnesses required, or is it sufficient to contact them by phone, especially if the groom fears hardship in a non-Islamic country and has brought witnesses from among the People of the Book?

The majority of scholars stipulate for the validity of the contract the presence of two upright witnesses who hear the offer and acceptance. The contract is not valid except in the presence of two witnesses, whether their presence was intentional or coincidental. Merely contacting them is not sufficient. Islam is a condition for a witness, therefore the testimony of two men from the People of the Book is not accepted in marriage, even if the person is in a non-Muslim country.