Child Marriage: Muslim Man, Umar Ibrahim, Pleads With Muslim Leaders After His Heartbreaking Encounter With A Young Mom
A man identified as Umar Ibrahim has spoken out on the harmful practice which seems to be more prevalent in northern Nigeria. Mr Ibrahim, who is also a Muslim condemned the barbaric act saying it is not Islamic and would rather not marry than marry a child.
Mr Ibrahim narrated his heart-wrenching encounter with a young girl that was struggling to place a baby on her back. He later found out it was her baby and wondered how a girl at that age would have one.
In a series of tweets he shared, Ibrahim, who noted that the issue is being neglected by even our religious leaders, therefore called out the Arewa Leaders and the Mallams to start sensitizing the people on the dangers of child marriage in the North of Nigeria.
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Umar Ibrahim tweeted:
”I want to go on my knees and beg Arewa Leaders and Mallams, please start speaking against child marriages. It is painful and heart wrenching to see a child struggling to back a baby, and when I asked I was told its her baby. I was shivering in anger while sharing the gift money.
I asked and was told it’s normal sight at the hospital. This isn’t Islam! This is your culture and it is barbaric. I would rather not marry than marry a child. I make bold to say if you have a sister being married off at below 16 please runaway with her.
Those predators will marry her, divorce her with pregnancy and she’d end up being that which you think you want to prevent her from being. We have them all around already.”
You will recall that a few weeks ago, TVC co-presenter of the Your View show, Akashat Ny’mat, aired her views on child marriage, stating key reason why it should be encouraged.
The presenter who clearly admitted that early marriage is not necessarily Islamic, further disclosed that if her daughter wants to marry at a young age, she wouldn’t stop her.
”The act is not necessarily ‘Islamic’. But when sexual urges start to come, one of the best alternatives is to allow them get married.
If my daughter wants to marry at a young age, I would first have the necessary conversations with her to see if it is truly what she wants and also ensure that she is fit to some extent, but I wouldn’t stop her.”
This is in reaction to viral pre-wedding photos of a teenage couple who got married April 14th, in Sokoto state. The groom, Aliyu is reported to be 17-year-old and his bride, Aisha, 15. Their photos had generated mixed reactions on social media.
READ ALSO: Read Emir Of Kano, Muhammadu’s Sanusi’s Statement On Child Marriage
It was gathered online that Aliyu is following his family tradition of marrying early as male children in his family marry at the age of 17, while the female ones marry at 15.
However, in extreme cases, the male children marry at the age of 19. The tradition, according to reports was allegedly embraced to prevent them from fornicating and also to allow them see their grandchildren.
Ny’mat joins Abubakar Hidima, who also stated that early marriage is good and that parents should support their children to get married early as it is better than early fornication.
@RealOilsheikh tweeted:
”Early marriage is better than early fornication. Support your children to get married early if you can afford. You will help their life in this world and hereafter.”
However, Nigerian Comedian and dad to a beautiful girl, Wale Gates who found the tweet very offensive called out the man, saying children should be allowed to grow and not forced into an early marriage.
Child marriage is a human rights violation. Despite laws against it, the practice remains widespread. Globally, one in every five girls is married, or in union, before reaching age 18.
In the least developed countries, that number doubles – 40 percent of girls are married before age 18, and 12 percent of girls are married before age 15.
Child marriage threatens girls’ lives and health, and it limits their future prospects. Girls pressed into child marriage often become pregnant while still adolescents, increasing the risk of complications in pregnancy or childbirth. These complications are the leading cause of death among older adolescent girls.