Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has defended the use of public funds to support marriage arrangements in states operating under Shariah law, arguing that such intervention falls within the responsibilities of government.
Gumi stated this in a message shared on Facebook on Thursday, where he argued that governments in Shariah-governed societies have a responsibility to address social challenges linked to the prohibition of sexual relationships outside marriage.
He explained that where prostitution, fornication, adultery and promiscuity are prohibited by religious principles and state laws, government support for people who cannot afford marriage should be considered part of responsible governance.
According to the cleric, public funds could be used to assist young people who are in urgent need of marriage, as well as women who may have 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.