How Egyptian activists are trying to curb polygamy
A number of activists launched a Facebook campaign to add a new condition in marriage contracts, requiring the first wife’s permission for her husband’s second marriage.
CAIRO — Through Facebook, social media activists in Egypt have been calling since Oct. 1 for adding a special condition in marriage contracts, requiring the first wife’s prior consent in the event that her husband seeks a second wife under a polygamy arrangement.
Media activists posted a photo showing a copy of a marriage contract that added this condition, claiming it was officiated in Egypt.
This sparked a wide controversy in Egypt, pitting those who believe this condition is one of the first wife’s most basic rights against those who see this as contradictory to Islamic Sharia, which allows men to marry up to four women.
Member of parliament Abdel Moneim al-Alimi, a member of the Legislative and Constitutional Committee, told Al-Monitor that this social media campaign will be supported by the draft law he submitted on Oct. 2 to Egypt’s parliament to amend the law organizing the marriage officiant profession.
