Polygamy in Eritrea
Encyclopedia
Since the introduction of the current Marriage Law introduced by the EPLF
in 1977, polygamy
has been illegal in Eritrea
. While the federal government does not recognize polygamous marriages under civil law, districts
governed by Sharia Law (or Islamic law
) are exempt from this law and therefore are free to recognize polygamous marriages
. In such regions, polygamous marriages, which are permitted up to four wives, are legal for all Muslim
men. An estimated 50% of the Eritrean population is Muslim
.
As stated in the Qur'an
, the holy book of Islam
, Eritrea
n areas with Sharia law implanted allow for Muslim men to have as many as four wives at a time. The husband is required to care after each wife equally. However, according to recent reports, the practice of polygamy
is beginning to decrease due to primarily economic reasons.
Eritrean People's Liberation Front
The Eritrean People's Liberation Front was an armed organization that fought for the independence of Eritrea from Ethiopia. It emerged in 1970 as an intellectual left-wing group that split from the Eritrean Liberation Front .-Background:...
in 1977, polygamy
Polygamy
Polygamy is a marriage which includes more than two partners...
has been illegal in Eritrea
Eritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
. While the federal government does not recognize polygamous marriages under civil law, districts
Districts of Eritrea
The regions of Eritrea are divided into districts, as follows:-Anseba Region:* Adi Tekelezan* Asmat* Elabered* Geleb* Hagaz* Halhal* Habero* Keren City* Kerkebet* Sela-Central Region:* Berikh* Ghala Nefhi* North Eastern* Serejaka...
governed by Sharia Law (or Islamic law
Sharia
Sharia law, is the moral code and religious law of Islam. Sharia is derived from two primary sources of Islamic law: the precepts set forth in the Quran, and the example set by the Islamic prophet Muhammad in the Sunnah. Fiqh jurisprudence interprets and extends the application of sharia to...
) are exempt from this law and therefore are free to recognize polygamous marriages
Polygamy
Polygamy is a marriage which includes more than two partners...
. In such regions, polygamous marriages, which are permitted up to four wives, are legal for all Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
men. An estimated 50% of the Eritrean population is Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
.
As stated in the Qur'an
Qur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
, the holy book of Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, Eritrea
Eritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
n areas with Sharia law implanted allow for Muslim men to have as many as four wives at a time. The husband is required to care after each wife equally. However, according to recent reports, the practice of polygamy
Polygamy
Polygamy is a marriage which includes more than two partners...
is beginning to decrease due to primarily economic reasons.