Gumi defends public funding of marriages in Shariah states

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has defended the use of public funds to support marriage arrangements in states operating under Shariah law, describing the practice as a legitimate responsibility of government.

Gumi made the position known in a statement shared on Facebook on Thursday, arguing that governments in Shariah-governed societies have a duty to address social needs arising from the prohibition of sexual relationships outside marriage.

According to him, where prostitution, fornication, adultery and promiscuity are prohibited by both religious principles and state laws, government intervention to assist people who cannot afford marriage should be viewed as part of responsible governance.

He said public resources could legitimately be used to support young people in urgent need of marriage, as well as women who face limited opportunities to find suitable spouses.

“In a Shariah law-driven state, where prostitution, fornication, adultery, and promiscuity are prohibited by both divine and state laws, using public funds to facilitate the marriage of women who are in excess of the available pool of eligible men, or of any young person in dire need of marriage, is a legitimate and responsible component of good governance,” he said.