Once again, religious idiots are opening their mouths and influencing the ignorant masses who will think that since their clerics and religion condone it, it must be something they should act upon. As some countries try to stamp out the cruel, inhumane practice of marrying off underage girls, others have to deal with Muslim organizations in their own lands issuing fatwas encouraging it.
Nahdlatul Ulama, a major Islamic organization in Indonesia, has just come out with a fatwa, after discussing the issue at their 32nd congress, stating that it’s okay for a girl of any age to get married, on the condition that the marriage was to create a ‘happy family.”
Taking Islamic law as its guide, leading Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama on Friday issued a fatwa declaring underage marriage acceptable as long as the purpose of the union was to build a happy family.
Cholil Nafis, secretary of the committee for religious issues for this past week’s 32nd NU congress, said the gathering had agreed that there should be no age restrictions on marriage because sacred Islamic verses or regulations had not stipulated a minimum age.
“They can get married at any age, even girls who haven’t started menstruating,” he said. “And they can have intimate relationships and intercourse, as long as they are able.”
Cholil said Islamic law only suggested that marriages would be better after a woman had her first period.
“As long as the objectives of the marriage are positive, it is allowed,” Cholil said. “Mind you, we don’t encourage people just to get married to fulfill their desires, no,” he added.
What? So, as long as there are no age restrictions, it would be alright to marry off a 5-year-old? It’s ludicrous to think that anyone under the age of 18 (and even that’s too young) is ready for marriage. And a prepubescent 11-year-old is in no way ready to be a wife and mother! Her fragile, little body is not ready for sexual intercourse, nor is she mentally or emotionally ready for consummating a physical relationship. He talks about not encouraging kids to marry to fulfill their desires- but what 10 or 11-year-old even thinks about sex? Get real. I had no interest in boys at that age, let alone wanting to get married and have children. I wanted to play on my bike and with my dolls. Perhaps Muslim girls in Indonesia are wired differently, but I sincerely doubt it.
The NU is aware the fatwa is dead wrong, because they knew there would be major disagreement from other groups, which there was.
“If people disagree with our fatwa, so be it. We never force people to follow what we say.”
Friday’s edict drew immediate criticism from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), as well as the nation’s second-largest Islamic group, Muhammadiyah, and the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan).
“Girls need mental maturity to be responsible for their husband and children,” MUI chairman Amidhan told the Jakarta Globe. “Based on the 1974 Law on Marriage, girls can only get married after they are 16.”
Yunahar Ilyas, Muhammadiyah’s fatwa committee chairman, said NU should not issue edicts and recommendations based solely on an Islamic perspective.
“They are supposed to see this matter comprehensively. Menstruation is not a measurement of a girl’s maturity,” Yunahar said.
“She needs to be mentally and intellectually mature to be able to be a good mother and wife.”
Komnas Perempuan vice chairwoman Masruchah told the Globe that the edict violated the Law on Child Protection, which defines children as being younger than 18 years old.
Girls can begin to have their periods as early as the age of 9, but their reproductive system is still fragile and they are “not ready to be a sexually active person,” she said.
The question isn’t about forcing, but the fact that they are encouraging the practice which then makes it okay in the eyes of the people. And what about asking young girls what they want? I can guarantee that they would rather be playing with their friends and their dolls. The fact that a bunch of old, lascivious men are sitting in some room making decisions about the fate of little girls, is disgusting. And as I have said before, they are attempting to legitimize pedophilia for their own lustful, perverted gain. Shame on them.
