Public funding of marriage legitimate under Shariah — Gumi

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has defended the use of public funds to facilitate marriages in states operating under Shariah law, describing such intervention as a legitimate component of responsible governance.

Gumi, in a statement shared on Facebook on Thursday, argued that in a society where prostitution, fornication, adultery and promiscuity are prohibited by both religious and state laws, governments have a responsibility to support people who are in need of marriage.

“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.

Gumi’s comments come after the Kano State Government conducted a mass wedding for 1,500 couples under its ‘Auren Gata’ initiative.

The couples tied the knot at the ceremony organised by the Kano State Hisbah Board as part of the state government’s social intervention programme.

The initiative is aimed at supporting vulnerable couples and easing the financial burden associated with marriage, while providing economic and household support to enable them to begin married life.

The mass wedding, held last Friday, has continued to generate discussions over the use of public funds to support marriage programmes.