In Afghanistan, polygamy and marriages under the legal age are accepted as part of religious and cultural traditions. However, since the Taliban regained power, reports of an increase in underage and polygamous marriages in Afghanistan have surfaced.
According to published reports, these marriages often occur before girls reach the age of 18, in some cases above 18, or under social and economic pressure from families. Furthermore, reports indicate that several Taliban commanders have entered into additional marriages after coming into power.
Hamid Khorasani, the commander of the Badri operational unit of the Taliban group, recently married for the fourth time and confirmed this in interviews with some media outlets. The publication of images of a procession of expensive cars at Hamid Khorasani’s wedding ceremony on social media has sparked controversy, with some social media users criticizing him for polygamy, lavish expenses, and hosting a grand wedding.
After the news of Hamid Khorasani’s fifth marriage circulated on virtual platforms, he clarified in an interview with one of the media outlets that it was not his fifth marriage but his fourth.
According to the newspaper Hasht-e Sobh: “At the top of the list of multiple marriages is the name of Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson and one of the intellectual brains of this group. A reliable source speaking to Hasht-e Sobh stated that the Taliban spokesperson chose his second wife almost six months after their control over the country. It is still unclear how old Zabihullah Mujahid’s second wife is, but sources confirm that she resides in Faizabad, the center of Badakhshan province.”
Meanwhile, Mullah Hibatullah, the leader of the Taliban, had asked officials of his government to refrain from unnecessary second, third, and fourth marriages, especially if these marriages involve extravagant expenses.
The issue of polygamy in Afghanistan is not only a legal and religious matter but is also intertwined with the cultural and social fabric of society. This phenomenon, rooted deeply in traditions and beliefs, conflicts with the challenges of modernity and human rights. On one hand, some men view multiple marriages as part of their religious rights, while on the other hand, women’s and children’s rights activists emphasize the necessity of supporting their rights and well-being.
In this context, governments and international organizations play a crucial role in promoting awareness and fostering positive changes. However, altering attitudes and behaviours requires time and continuous effort to ensure that all individuals, especially women and children, lead lives free from violence and discrimination.
- نویسنده : Afghanistan Women News Agency
- منبع خبر : Afghanistan Women News Agency
