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| Africa North | |
| EgyptŽs Mufti sanctions travelers marriage | |
| 2009-04-22 | |
| [Al Arabiya Latest] Egypt's Grand Mufti announced that "travelers marriages," known as nikah mesyar in Arabic, are legitimate unless banned by the state. Nikah mesyar is a Sunni Muslim marriage contract in which the woman gives up many of the rights she would be afforded under a traditional marriage contract. Although the marriage is official, the couple does not live in the same house and the husband is not required to provide for the wife or for any children they may have. Such marriages are considered an alternative for people who wish to get married but cannot afford a traditional marriage. It is called the "travelers marriage" since it often takes place when men are away from their wives and wish to have relations with another woman.
"As long as both agreed to the conditions of the marriage and the wife accepts that the husband doesn't live with her, it is a valid marriage," the statement said. The study argued that if the woman chooses to give up several of her rights by her own free will -- such as living with the husband or financial support -- this does not invalidate the marriage. According to Gomaa, the Mesyar marriages are neither degrading to women nor a violation of human rights since they are based on mutual consent. "On the contrary, this type of marriage proves the flexibility of Islamic laws in catering to a wide scope of needs and circumstances by offering religiously valid solutions that protect Muslims from committing sins," he explained. "This shows Islam's capability to adapt to social changes." | |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 AKA "Islamic prostitution" |
| Posted by: mojo 2009-04-22 10:32 |