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Mr. Olympia Big Ramy's second marriage sparks debate over polygamy in Egypt

The news of Mr. Olympia, otherwise known as Big Ramy, marrying for the second time without the knowledge of his first wife sparked controversy in Egypt, especially in the wake of statements whereby an Islamic preacher denied a woman’s right to ask for divorce when her husband marries another.
Photo of Egyptian bodybuilding champion Mamdouh al-Subaie at his second marriage, posted Nov. 19, 2021.

CAIRO — Egyptian bodybuilding champion Mamdouh al-Subaie, also known as Big Ramy and winner of the Mr. Olympia 2021 championship, topped search engines over the past few days following the announcement of his second marriage.

Activists on social media circulated on Nov. 19 photos of the bodybuilder’s second wedding. While some supported the marriage on the grounds that a man has the right to marry another woman, others opposed it on the grounds that his first wife only learned of the news through the press.

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