A TV series on polygamy broadcast during Ramadan is causing controversy in Tunisia, a pioneering Arab country on women's rights, where multiple unions have been banned for decades. Concise, actionable scenarios and predictions from top regional experts. After Islamist movements grew following the 2011 revolt, "religious marriage became more common" particularly among university students looking for "halal" sex, he added. Tunisia remains one of the few predominantly Muslim nations that has legally banned polygamy. Post-independence leader Habib Bourguiba outlawed polygamy in the family code passed just five months after the country's 1956 independence from France, a piece of legislation that was nothing short of revolutionary in the Arab world at the time. "The over-reactions to the series are trying to convince people that everything related to Islam is backwards," the 28-year-old said. Jouil added that many Tunisians happily discuss such issues in private but are angered when they are aired in public -- where commentators are "instrumentalising" the issue for political gain. In his view, the controversy illustrates "a social hypocrisy", because "we agree to discuss these phenomena in private, among friends, but we get indignant and angry when they are mentioned in public". He pointed out that political parties close to Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi supported these moves and called on people not to follow these calls. "Baraa" (Arabic for "innocence") has also been criticised by rights activists and secular politicians for its portrayal of customary "orfi" marriage, religious unions not sanctioned by the state. "It's not the role of drama to present a positive image of society. According to United Nations data from 2011, Russias divorce rate is 4.8 divorces per 1,000 residents.Divorce Rates By Country 2021. Divorce in Tunisia is a civil matter.At present the Code of Personal Status sets out three grounds for divorce: How long does it take to get married in Tunisia? In this context, researcher of Islamic civilisation, Sami Braham, wrote that: "Unmarried women who missed a wedding opportunity believe that opening the door to polygamy will enable them to get married." Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month for the first 3 months. Polygamy in South Sudan is quite common. No. This article is now fully available for you, Please verify your e-mail to read this subscriber-only article in full. Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East, The Tunisian Ramadan TV series "Baraa" has been criticised by rights activists and secular politicians over the issue of polygamy, Wars, poverty fuel spike in Iraqi child labour, Swapping kabsa for kale: Saudis embrace healthy eating, Iran expert John Raine says Iranian hardliners want a military pact with Russia for the survival of the Islamic regime, Prospects for Israel, its economy and US-Israel relations: Live Q&A webinar with Haim Saban, Breakfast Briefing on the Middle East with US Senator Chris Van Hollen. "The over-reactions to the series are trying to convince people that everything related to Islam is backwards," the 28-year-old said. Activist Mohammed Nur Musa described the protest as a satanic idea aimed at mobilizing supporters of the regime and its partners to distort the Islamic Ennahda movement. This is a failed plan that will not deceive the wise Tunisian people, he added. The strongly secular Free Destourian Party (PDL) founded by one-time members of Ben Ali's ruling party has been one of the loudest voices against "Baraa", saying that "putting these questions back on the table is out of the question" and an affront to women's dignity. Djerbi considered calls for protests demanding polygamy to be "a form of madness, a pathological phenomenon. This includes reviewing unfair divorce procedures and abolishing the principle of adoption because it is contrary to Sharia law. Lgj 1, Rruga Taulantia, Durres Albania By registering, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy. In current times, Tunisia is still one of the very few predominantly Islamic nations that has legally banned polygamy. He added that the protest is not linked to any political entity and is not led by associations. Human rights group Aswat Nissa (Women`s Voices) said polygamy and common marriage are forms of violence against women and that their discussion normalizes a culture of impunity. A number of activists believe the call for polygamy was motivated by political parties targeting the Islamic Ennahda movement and distorting its image ahead of the upcoming elections. He abolished polygamy, prohibited rejection, and introduced judicial divorce. This places Tunisia as one of the worst divorce centres in the Arab world. The freedom of expression acquired after the 2011 Revolution has even encouraged some to call for the return of polygamy, including a collective of women who organised a demonstration in early 2018. A woman could contribute to the costs of a marriage if she could afford it, wives could cooperate with husbands in family affairs and child-rearing, and they automatically assumed guardianship of minor children in the event of the death of a husband. "Talking about polygamy and orfi marriage doesn't threaten the gains that women have made," he told AFP. Read: Tunisian union calls for another nationwide strike to press wage demands. Such controversies ought to be reflected in the arts, Ghorbali said. PESCO, enacted five months after the country`s independence, is groundbreaking legislation that grants Tunisian women unprecedented rights in the Arab world. Issued on: 13/04/2022 - 04:38. After Islamist movements grew following the 2011 revolt, "religious marriage became more common" particularly among university students looking for "halal" sex, he added. Moreover, the freedom of speech that came with the end of Ben Ali's dictatorship allowed people in favour of such practices to openly say so. Al-Zghal stressed in previous press releases that women would participate in the protest to express anger over Tunisia`s failure to allow polygamy. Such controversies ought to be reflected in the arts, Ghorbali said. Turkey banned the practice in 1926, while the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq banned polygamy in 2008. The conversion process can take three months or longer. Polygamy in Tunisia Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956, [1] the same year it gained official independence. You have reached your limit of subscriber-only articles this month. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Secrets and Wives: The Hidden World of Mormon Polygamy at the best online prices at eBay! Post-independence leader Habib Bourguiba outlawed polygamy in the family code passed just five months after the country's 1956 independence from France, a piece of legislation that was nothing short of revolutionary in the Arab world at the time. In most West African countries, polygamy is also recognised and regulated by the civil law that allows a man to marry up to four women under certain conditions, including the financial capacity to support multiple wives and families. A TV series on polygamy broadcast during Ramadan is causing controversy in Tunisia, a pioneering Arab country on women's rights, where multiple unions have been banned for decades. Sociologist Foued Ghorbali said that while the subject remains taboo, polygamy is still an issue in Tunisia. Read: Tunisia cabinet approves equal inheritance law. A group of Tunisian women have used social media sites to call for a protest demanding polygamy. Kurdish-controlled areas criminalize polygamy, "Tunisian women free to marry non-Muslims", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Polygamy_in_Tunisia&oldid=1141521187, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 13:37. In early 2018, a group of women held a protest to demand the re-legalisation of polygamy. Women-led anthology series 'Roar' , tells feminist fables https://t.co/WHRlDhWjIB. The group has urged the country's broadcast regulator to take the programme off the air. The group has urged the country's broadcast regulator to take the programme off the air. The Personal Status Act of 1956 allows women to freely and personally consent to their marriage, sets the minimum age of marriage for women over 17 years of age, requires a medical certificate before marriage and allows a woman to consent to the marriage of her children if they are minors. But sociologist Mohamed Jouil said the series does "not necessarily reflect Tunisian society". Data-driven analysis of latest market trends. Polygamy is a taboo issue in Tunisia and a crime punishable by law, under Article 18 of the Personal Status Code. Keywords: Dynamics, Gender, Polygamy Law, Tunisia One of phenomenon were risen in the Muslim world in the 20 th century was the existence of the family law reforms which is However, a group of women have taken to social media to call for a protest to be held in front of parliament to demand polygamy. Adultery is a crime punishable by law for both spouses 7. dinars. You will get the updates within 24 hours. "Baraa" (Arabic for "innocence") has also been criticised by rights activists and secular politicians for its portrayal of customary "orfi" marriage, religious unions not sanctioned by the state. 2023 Bangkok Post Public Company Limited. Tunisia was the first Arab state to officially abolish polygamy in 1956, [1] [2] the same year of its official independence. Do you think polygamy should be legalised in Tunisia? Oops, this content can't be loadedbecause you're having connectivity problems, Stay always informed and up to date with our breaking news alerts, Polygamy for Tunisia? Moreover, the freedom of speech that came with the end of Ben Ali's dictatorship allowed people in favour of such practices to openly say so. Why did the Soviet Union and the United States almost go to war in October 1962? Join the Middle East's most notable experts for premium memos, trend reports, live video Q&A, and intimate in-person events, each detailing exclusive insights on business and geopolitical trends shaping the region. The justice ministry said courts examined 1,718 cases of orfi marriage between 2015 and 2020 in the country of 12 million people. As a result of the abuse or injury of one spouse by the other. 13 Apr 2022 at 10:45. "Baraa" (Arabic for "innocence") has also been criticized by rights activists and secular politicians for its portrayal of customary "orfi" marriage, religious unions not sanctioned by the state. The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore. "Some Tunisians support customary marriage," he said. TUNIS - A Ramadan TV series dealing with polygamy has sparked a heated debate in Tunisia, an Arab pioneer in women's rights that banned the practice decades ago. Turkey banned the practice in 1926, while the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq banned polygamy in 2008. A Ramadan TV series dealing with polygamy has sparked a heated debate in Tunisia, an Arab pioneer in women's rights that banned the practice decades ago. For example, the first wife has to approve before her husband is allowed to remarry, he said. Al-Zghal has stressed in previous press statements that the women will participate in the demonstration to express their anger at the failure of Tunisia to allow polygamy. Turkey banned the practice in 1926, while the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq banned polygamy in 2008. Almost half of all university students are women. Rights group Aswat Nissa ("Women's Voices") said polygamy and customary marriage were "forms of violence against women" and that discussing them "normalises a culture of impunity". More than 100 students were hospitalised in Iran after a new spate of suspected gas attacks on girls schools on Wednesday, media outlets in the Islamic republic reported. All rights reserved. Al-Zghal said in a statement to Al-Khaleej Online that he did not call for the demonstration himself, but supports the idea because he believes there is a need to find a solution to the dilemma of spinsterhood. The CSP, enacted five months after the country's independence, is revolutionary legislation that granted Tunisian women rights unprecedented in the Arab world. Moreover, the freedom of speech that came with the end of Ben Ali's dictatorship allowed people in favour of such practices to openly say so. Sanctioning polygamy is a popular demand now in Tunisia, Elmi said. "Baraa" (Arabic for "innocence") has also been criticised by rights activists and secular politicians for its portrayal of customary "orfi" marriage, religious unions not sanctioned by the state. Please watch: "Sebulan Belum Tamat ! Tunisia is a unique example because, unlike Turkey's ban on polygyny (which stemmed from the secularisation of the legal system), Tunisian law was the first prohibition that used a fundamental Quranic precept in its legal reasoning. The practice was permitted in Islam and should be legalized if it deemed in the best interest of society, Elmi said, proposing Tunisias marriage laws be referred to courts for modification, under certain conditions. A number of activists believe the call for polygamy was motivated by political parties in order to target the Islamic Ennahda movement and distort its image before the upcoming elections. TUNIS (AFP) - A Ramadan TV series dealing with polygamy has sparked a heated debate in Tunisia, an Arab pioneer in women's rights that banned the practice decades ago. In front of his wife and children, he asserts that he has the right to do so in the name of Sharia, the Islamic law, which he says is "above all other laws". Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. Talking about polygamy and Orfi marriage does not threaten the profits women have made, he told AFP. In current times, Tunisia is still one of the very few predominantly Islamic nations that has legally banned polygamy. HANOI: Five moon bears have been rescued in Vietnam from an illegal bile extraction farm, in the latest effort by authorities to eradicate a practice widely condemned for its cruelty. Tunisia remains one of the few predominantly Muslim nations that has legally banned polygamy. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Rights group Aswat Nissa ("Women's Voices") said polygamy and customary marriage were "forms of violence against women" and that discussing them "normalises a culture of impunity". Its supporters, such as Archbishop Gabriel Roric of the Reformed Episcopal Church (an Anglican denomination), however, maintain polygamy is a source of "African pride," saying those who opposed it were misguided by the western world's approaches to marriage. Both practices are punishable by up to a year in prison under the country's 1956 family code. It can show a point of view or phenomena in society that could be a subject of debate," he said. The group has urged the country's broadcast regulator to take the programme off the air. The justice ministry said courts examined 1,718 cases of orfi marriage between 2015 and 2020 in the country of 12 million people. Activist Mohammed Nur Musa described the demonstration as a "Satanic idea" which "aims to mobilize supporters of the regime and its partners to distort the Islamic Ennahda movement". In 1926, while the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq banned polygamy Islam is,... 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