1-Year-Old Saudi Brides Okay to Marry

A Saudi official commented last week that it is okay for 1-year-old children to wed, according to the Fox News website today.

Dr. Ahmad al Mu'bi, a Saudi marriage officiant, told a group of Lebanese television viewers last week that "there is no minimal age for entering marriage." He stated, "You can have a marriage contract even with a 1-year-old girl, not to mention a girl of 9, 7 or 8." "But is the girl ready for sex?" He asked. "What is the appropriate age for sex for the first time? This varies according to environment and tradition." Dr. Mu'bi stated, "It is allowed to marry a girl at the age of one, if sex is postponed. The prophet Muhammed, whose model we follow, married 'Aisha when she was six and had sex with her when she was nine." You can watch the video clip of Dr. Ahmad al Mu'bi making these comments here at the Middle East Media Research Institute website.