Renowned Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has thrown his weight behind the use of public funds to subsidize marriage arrangements within states that operate under Shariah law. In a perspective shared on his social media platform this Thursday, Gumi framed this financial support as a fundamental duty of the state rather than a misappropriation of resources.
His argument rests on the idea that when a government strictly prohibits illicit sexual relationships such as adultery and fornication, it must also provide viable alternatives to its citizens. The cleric views government intervention as a necessary social safety net. He believes that by assisting those who lack the personal finances to marry, the state actively combats social vices while upholding moral standards.
Gumi specifically highlighted the plight of young people struggling to settle down and women who may find it challenging to secure suitable partners. By drawing on the principles of responsible governance, he asserted that directing public funds toward these matrimonial initiatives is both a legitimate and essential policy. This stance underscores a controversial but deeply rooted approach to social welfare in areas governed by religious law, where the state takes an active role in managing the personal and moral lives of its people.
