subject: Intense Debate On Early Marriage [print this page] There is a storm brewing over here, in our local community, on the topic of early marriage. It all started when the Chief Minister of Malacca put forward a motion to allow Muslims in their teen age to get marry, to prevent teenage pregnancy, and baby dumping.
Why the intense debate arises?
Most arguments from local politicians, academicians and other parties that directly involve with this matter, point to the direction of more study is needed. That is typical in such situation, where law and legislation comes into play.
It is important to ensure everything gels in, or else the ruling party might suffer negative' consequences for the upcoming General Election, which is rumored to take place next year.
But what suppose to be the real concern here?
"An early marriage could lead to poverty, domestic violence and pressure from the family. We need to educate the public, parents and students on the consequences of getting married at an early age," said a School of Education dean for a local University.
While he was making that statement, recently, the Education Ministry said that between 2006 and now, there were 21 recorded cases of students who became pregnant out of wedlock.
Pay special attention to the word recorded'.
There are probably more cases on the unrecorded' side, but who knows.
Getting pregnant out of wedlock is something big to Muslim, and I believe to society in general. It carries such a high impact on moral and ethical values. It is not a pretty sight when cases like this build up over time, which I believe already taking place as we speak.
And my opinion personally, goes back to the fundamentals age of Islam, when problem like this might have existed.
There are 3 things which Muslims are urged to expedite the execution. They are:
1) Burial of dead body.
2) Debt repayment
3) Marriage.
And if these were used as guideline in this debate, then, I believe the Chief Minister had won, even before it begins. Plus, as person who has my two feet on the ground, taking action is more effective than talking, because action creates result.
