Imam blessed polygamous marriage: report

Barney Zwartz

November 22, 2008

CIHAN, an Arab woman with three adolescent children, was given an unpleasant surprise last year. Her husband told her that four years ago he had taken a second wife, an Anglo-Australian who was now expecting their third child.

The husband and second wife wanted a polygamous arrangement, involving a close supportive relationship of the wives and children, but Cihan separated instead.

The financial settlement took into account the second family, and left her struggling.

The second marriage was performed by an imam who knew it was polygamous. He allowed it because the husband was willing to perform his marital obligations to the first wife and was thus "entitled to a little bit of comfort on the side".

Now Cihan, whose story is told in the Islamic Women's Welfare Council report, is under constant pressure from her family and community to accept her husband and second wife.

She cannot get a religious divorce because her husband does not agree.

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