MARRIAGE IN AFGHANISTAN Taylor Fitzgerald English 2/ Mrs. Nowacky March 1 st 2013

In Afghanistan Afghanistan is one of the most challenging places in the world to be a woman Lack of security, kidnapping, and rape has made families force their daughters into marriage Some girls are battered into marriage to repay debt or resolve a dispute Poverty still compels many parents to get their daughters married to avoid the cost of caring for them Older, wealthier husbands will pay a larger-price bride for a girl ( trustineducation.org)

Child Marriage More than 50% of Afghanistan girls are engaged by the age of 10 years old 60% of girls are married by the age of 16 Most girls marry far older men, some in their 60’s Women meet their husbands for the first time at their weddings Married girls do not continue their education and remain illiterate Girls have babies while still young, increasing health problems and risking death for themselves and their children Risk of death during pregnancy/ childbirth for girls under 14 is five times higher than for adult women ( trustineducation.org)

Afghan Muslim Wedding has a deep-rooted process which it threads step by step Rarely do young men and women have an opportunity to meet each other Expenses of the bride from the date of the engagement will have to be borne by the grooms father If accepted by the brides parents, the time and date for the announcement of the match and celebration of the engagement is decided When proposal is formally accepted, the brides family will host a party to symbolize the acceptance ( Frazl ur Rhaim Muzaffary) ( afghan marriage traditions & prevailing laws family)

Traditional Muslim Wedding

How Does The Groom Purpose? When a young man wants to marry a young lady his parents must do some kind of background check This is to look at her morals, beauty, and other family affairs If the young man has chosen this bride, he informs his family of his interest in marrying a particular girl If his bride is of the same community the father of the groom may have questions about the girls character, beauty and background ( afghan marriage traditions and prevailing laws family)

Ceremony & Celebrations Celebration are three day long events Everyone in the immediate family and extended family is invited to the wedding It requires a lot of planning and is often very expensive It is governed my marriage laws that are very strict and prescriptive (afghan marriage traditions and prevailing laws family)

Laws That Govern Afghan Marriages Allow girls 10 years of age to get engaged but not married Wedding takes place at the age of 16 Grooms family must cover expenses Afghan women are not allowed to marry non Muslim men However Muslim men can marry non Muslim women of Christian and Jew faith ( afghan marriage traditions and prevailing laws family)

Nikkah Usually done before the wedding reception Bride receives a Mahr, which is a brides gift from the groom This takes place in a different wedding hall Bride usually wear a beautiful and modest green gown with a green shawl Quran is recited and a special prayer for the new couple ( afghan wife)

Clothing for Muslim women

Works Cited "Afghan Marriage Traditions and Prevailing Laws." Afghan Marriage Traditions. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Mar "Afghan Wife." Afghan Wife. N.p., Sept.-Oct Web. 02 Mar "Life as an Afghan Woman." Trust in Education RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Mar Muzaffary, Frazl Ur Rhaim. "OnIslam.net." Afghan Muslim Wedding. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Mar