Algeria Wrestling With Aftermath Of Jihadists' Temporary Marriages
Around 500 children born of temporary jihadist marriages during Algeria's "dirty war" face uncertain futures.
Zawaj mu'aqqat (temporary marriage), commonly known as pleasure marriage or nikah mut’ah marriage, is a concept that is not new in the jargon of jihadist Islamists who believe they are fighting for the cause of Allah. They also suppose that they have the right to the carnal enjoyment of young girls considered to be booty.
Algerian human rights activists have been denouncing the pleasure marriages allowed in Salafist circles. Lawyer Amar Zaidi told Al-Monitor, “Women deserve their freedom and their right to choose the man who suits them. Marrying a woman by force or using her as a means of pleasure is immoral and no modern society should accept this. None of us must turn blind eye to this growing phenomenon. Women are suffering from being used for sex acts."
The private and verbal temporary marriage between a man and an unmarried woman is often contracted forcibly as opposed to on the basis of mutual acceptance. In many cases the groom does not need to get the approval of the bride.
Also, the marriage contract does not require having witnesses, a written contract or permission from a country’s legal authorities.
