Calls to End Child Marrage in Malaysia After 12 Year Old Weds
By Liz Gooch Published: November 26, 2012
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Recently, a 12 year-old girl named Nor Fazira Saad married to her 19 year-old boyfriend, Mohammad Fahmi Alias. Under Muslim law in Malaysia, the legal age for a girl to marry is 16 and for a boy, it is 18. Children under the Muslim legal age can get parent permission and acknowledgement from the Shariah court to marry at any age, however, if it seems like a fit decision. Many women's and children's advocates are wanting a law to be formed that make this type of under aged marrage illegal. Supporters say that the people marrying are still children and do not understand the responsibilities that a marrage committment intales. Many of the young newly weds say they made this decision to avoid doing anything "improper" under Muslim rules. The country's government claims that they cannot make a law against these early marrage rights because it would interfere with Islamic law.
I agree with the women's and children's supporters. A 12 year-old is not yet ready to become a wife and have her own kids! In the article, a point was mentioned that under the country's laws, not under Muslim law, if an adult and minor have sex, it is considered rape. This adds to the already burning fire, because this ignites a whole other part of the brain; instead of the marrage just being immature and irrational, it is now ethically and morally wrong. I believe that a child should enjoy their young years and wait until they reach the legal age of marrage before making that decision. That type of choice takes much thought and preparation that a minor cannot and does not exhibit.
This is a large issue in Malaysia at the time, due to the law-proposal's confliction with Islamic rules. If the supporters win the government's approval, Muslims could be offended. Religion is very important to many people and laws or regulations that conflict with that may cause unease. Religious leaders may want to try and peacefully work out the issue or possibly even take it to court. When a battle between governmental and religious laws, the outcome could be surprising. Whatever the final stand comes to, I believe that is could spur major political, and even religious, issues in the future.
I agree with the women's and children's supporters. A 12 year-old is not yet ready to become a wife and have her own kids! In the article, a point was mentioned that under the country's laws, not under Muslim law, if an adult and minor have sex, it is considered rape. This adds to the already burning fire, because this ignites a whole other part of the brain; instead of the marrage just being immature and irrational, it is now ethically and morally wrong. I believe that a child should enjoy their young years and wait until they reach the legal age of marrage before making that decision. That type of choice takes much thought and preparation that a minor cannot and does not exhibit.
This is a large issue in Malaysia at the time, due to the law-proposal's confliction with Islamic rules. If the supporters win the government's approval, Muslims could be offended. Religion is very important to many people and laws or regulations that conflict with that may cause unease. Religious leaders may want to try and peacefully work out the issue or possibly even take it to court. When a battle between governmental and religious laws, the outcome could be surprising. Whatever the final stand comes to, I believe that is could spur major political, and even religious, issues in the future.