B@H et je suis un mec c absude sa Posted 2009-08-14

Well, frankly, going back to polygamy is something stupider. Whatever it is you are trying to resolve, this is not an effective solution. Anyone who encourages this is stupid, living in the 17th Century, while we are in the 21st. So, my friend, stop with these stupid stories. And, any woman who encourages this is a woman that is not honest with her husband. By God, this is a bunch of nonsense. Personally, it is frankly impossible to live with someone besides the woman I love. That would be unimaginable. Tunisian men are not able to provide everything one woman needs, so imagine him with two! By God, wake up a little! You're talking about regression!

ياسمينه Posted 2009-08-14

In our time, it is not easy for man to marry one wife so how can he marry two or more? Marriage is a responsibility in which he should provide a comfortable life for the wife and kids. In the face of the increasing unemployment rates and world crisis, man wishes to marry a working woman so that she can assist him in the burdens of life. This shows that man cannot be responsible for more than one family. Of course I am talking about middle-class families in the Arab nation which represent a high percentage. From the religious point of view, there is no discussion about. But given that Mrs “Dalanda” addressed the call to remove the law banning polygamy hoping to find a suitable solution to the crisis of spinsterhood ad moral depravity, I think Mrs Ahlam gave an adequate reply to the phenomenon. We cannot solve a problem with another problem. This will just worsen the situation. Gulf countries are rich and its citizens have a good income to offer a living to ten families. Polygamy is legitimate but has spinsterhood dropped there? Quite the opposite. Statistics show that the highest rates of spinsterhood are recorded in Gulf countries. Was depravity solved? Therefore, reasons mentioned in the call of “Dalanda” are unrealistic.

Nabil Posted 2009-08-14

is this woman, Dalanda Sahbi, for real. i mean should i laugh or cry. this woman doesn't know the crop other women in the arab world go through and she dares saying that tunisian women are no better off...give me a break. the way women are treated in other arab countries is worst than how we treat goats....

JEUNE TUNISIEN TRES DECU Posted 2009-08-14

Attention! Attention! Attention my country! The extremists, the jealous and the intruders are just waiting for the moment to push us backwards. The jealous are not content with what the women have managed to gain for themselves - modern, free, independent women, that is. The women defending polygamy are not Tunisians. They forget to talk about informal marriages, divorce, the marrying off of minors, nonconsensual marriage and the fact that the women stay at home like objects remote from society. These are fundamentalists. They came back with their veils after the state left them alone. They wanted and still want more. So, let us dot the "i's"! No! No! No! No polygamy for us! No! No! No! No sliding back for us! If you want this, then go somewhere else to find it! I am a young, 26-year-old Tunisian. I am not married, but I am thinking about my mother, my sister, my aunts, my neighbours, my friends, my future wife. No polygamy! No sliding back! No! No! No!

عبد الله Posted 2009-08-15

Since the issue is legitimate and clear, why do we debate it? Let's look at results of polygamy and compare them to our situation, to the phenomenon of spinsterhood and the depravity it caused in all society.

BEN MAHMOUD Posted 2009-08-15

Hello- This is an interesting debate. However, several questions come to mind. What is the connection between polygamy and the excesses of women? As such, can we draw a parallel between corruption and polygamy? Do we Muslims, in general, and Tunisians, in particular, respect women as people and not as objects? So, before shouting from the roof tops that lack of polygamy is the cause for the decline of all our morals, it would be better to see what happens in the countries where this practice exists in order to find out if polygamy impeded the debauchery of men and women. In my opinion, I think that the "materialism" in which we live and the fact that men generally do not act towards women as being equal to men are the principal causes for our society’s problems.

hedia de Tunis Posted 2009-08-15

I am shocked by Dalanda Sahbi's words. How can she speak in the name of morality about the enslavement of Tunisian women. I better understand why they say that men are more progressive than women in Tunisia. If she accepts that her husband marries another woman, then we do not need her. Madam, you are a shame to all Tunisian men and women. I am frankly shocked by this scarf-wearer out of nowhere. There is nothing left from these sickos that could shock me!!!

Hedi ABDI Posted 2009-08-15

Always the same journalistic tactics - you take a non-representative sample, which is perhaps poorly chosen out of bad intention, in order to say stupid things that have nothing to do with reality. The matter of polygamy is a classic issue, not only at the legal level, but also at the behavioural level. Perhaps there are isolated cases where these people take their desires for a reality, but that does not change anything about the reality of things. Even the fundamentalists who are against the text of the CSP are not against monogamy.

Elyes Gherib Posted 2009-08-15

The “rise in the number of unmarried women and in moral degeneration and excessive libertinism that allows extra-marital affairs." -Dalanda Sahbi. In a republic where women are full citizens, not marrying is an incontestable right. If women need to be morally "cleansed" by marriage, then what is the solution for the men who address women on the street with obscene language? "More importantly, Islam allows it and we have a good example in the Prophet Mohammed in this regard." -Dalanda Sahbi. If all Tunisian men had moral value and dedication to the noble values of Islam that the Prophet had, then it seems that the present debate would not exist - my preceding remark certainly would not. "In the final analysis, polygamy is a permissible and allowable thing, provided men are capable and just.” -Ramzi Al Badaoui. Since when did men meet this standard? "There are some human situations that compel men to marry a second woman — for example, to have children because their first wife is sterile." And, this man married his first wife knowing about this, did he?

Anonyme Posted 2009-08-15

We are proud to be Tunisian because Tunisian law respects women and gives her her rights. Our country is an example for the Arab countries. I think that returning to polygamy is impossible, so the puppets in favour of it can just go somewhere else! I am a man and I could never imagine living with two women.

leila Posted 2009-08-15

Why does this debate always only concern the possibility (or not) of a man having several wives and not the possibility of a woman having several husbands?

Riadh Posted 2009-08-15

No, this is a bunch of nonsense! If we do not succeed, then it is because of the macho mentality that they are trying to justify with religion. Be more original. If we legalise polygamy, then we need to also legalise polyandry. In that case, we will have advanced past all the countries in the world.

Tarek Cheniti Posted 2009-08-15

Polygamy will never return to Tunisia for the simple reason that Tunisian women are now far more preoccupied with their own professional future than by the idea of marriage, as, moreover, are the men. Furthermore, Tunisian women are very dedicated to the Code of Personal Status. They know quite well that this means playing with a labour marriage, which does not exist anywhere else in the Arab-speaking and Muslim world. Did you know that most divorces are requested by the wife and not the husband? The existence of a voice calling for a return to polygamy is proof neither of diversity, nor of a potential return to the past. You need everyone to make the world, even Tunisian - imagine that!

Wassim jday Posted 2009-08-15

Stupidity has no limits.

nour elhedi Posted 2009-08-16

There is no Religious problem; polygamy in Tunisia almost never existed. Since ever Tunisian family was based on a single woman, the wife and mother. Tunisian men in the other hand never wanted more than one. These two facts are the reflection of the Berber historical background of Tunisia. Yet if you are looking for the polygamy to solve the social problems in Tunisia, you are taking the wrong path. All Tunisian social problems from divorce, premarital loss of virginity, betrayal, lack of confidence and jealousy, to prostitution have political origins. The Tunisian government encourages women to go to bars and not to the mosque. Allow them to swim topless, and not to wear hijab. The Tunisian politic since independence is destroying every single cornerstone in the society. In one sentence: Tunisian problems are not caused by the monogamy, but by the political laic monotony.

Anonymous Posted 2009-08-16

This article bears witness to the failures of 53 years of Tunisian dictatorship. This is a dictator whose sole jewel was the emancipation of women by abolishing polygamy. Today, these are women's voices calling for the return of polygamy. Women are far from feeling like responsible, dignified citizens. The so-called "emancipation" was a decoy, an instrument of propaganda, particularly for the Western countries. It did not lead to awareness. In effect, the totalitarian regime, which practice torture and rape in order to suppress dissent, wants us the democratic states to believe that it is a modern state and women are respected. Is it possible to have emancipation without rights? In Tunisia, men and women are deprived of their political and other rights. There are only the privileges that the regimes mercenaries enjoy. But, the door is open to those who can pay the price to obtain certain advantages by bribing judges when it comes to trials and officials when it comes to getting authorisation or work. Bourguiba prohibited polygamy just after independence and had but one demagogic goal in mind: satisfy his own megalomania. He presented this gesture of his as a privilege that he was according to women; he did not accompany it with an educational effort so that the women would realise that it was a form of rehabilitation in order to get them in tune with modern times. In order to clearly emphasize that tit was not at all a rehabilitation of women's dignity, he recommended that on his tomb they write: "Liberator of Women". This is just one of his titles, among the myriad of others. His megalomania not only accompanied him in his tomb, it also was passed down to the one who survived him.

blagui maher Posted 2009-08-17

Could this be the little snow ball that is just waiting to get pushed off the side of the mountain? The snowball has only one solid obstacle: the Code. But, is not this women who is asking for this not taking a step backward... a giant half-century step backward to August 13 or the 13th out or, worse yet, Friday the 13th? Final score: Women - 1, Men - 0.

Aziz Posted 2009-08-17

Its the stress of living and cost of having a house in Tunisia that is the problem. People in Tunisia are desperate for money with small incomes and outgoings of midas. If you think that having four wives is better then you are a fool. What happens in reality is that men spread their commitment thinner and only the rich enjoy it. For the poor the bad husband gets a new wife for sex and the older ones move down the chain until they fall off just the same as they do now except now they can have money and maybe the children. Divide this around a few wives and the compesation is not as good. The man will never have any money for an old wife but will find plenty for a sexy poor 20 old number 3. I am a man I love my wife she is my partner in life not a car for the collection. Tunisians look at the gulf and see an old world lifestyle and then see the money and think its good. It's not its just a game paid for by oil tunisia has no oil and when that oil runs out they will have to work with everyone else.

Nawas Wilde Posted 2009-08-17

Polygamy would be a disaster for Tunisia. We would lose all that we have gained since independence! The world is developing and is surely not returning backwards. What revolts me is that some people think that our social problems would be resolved by polygamy!? Whatever! First of all, problems with spousal abuse, infidelity, jealousy and so on exist throughout the world and in all societies, without exception. In order to resolve these problems there needs to be a real, transparent and responsible national debate, not more metaphysical solutions! Second of all, polygamy is a masculine fantasy. Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim men have never admitted or wanted to accept the emancipation of the women or their rights. These Middle Eastern men want to dominate women and society. In short, let us stop this fat lie the size of a lorry, which has as its intention re-establishing polygamy in the aim of resolving our social problems!!! Whatever! This is the plan of men for domination and, a bit later or at the same time, a plan for an Islamic state that will abolish all freedoms and establish masculine law disguised as divine law! Ladies, you are not aoura; you are human beings to the fullest extent! As for those who jump at nothing more than seeing women's hair, there are some very good psychiatrists out there.

Mohamed Ali Posted 2009-08-17

I will no longer be Tunisian if this law is passed in Tunisia. I pay homage to the great Bourguiba, and I have great respect for all that he did for Tunisia. Let us do better by asking some good questions; if we do not, then let us return to living in caves, as this would be all the better for the environment and humanity alike. And, the men can do whatever they want in the darkness of the caves, since they will not be able to see the faces of their victims!

Sarra Posted 2009-08-17

She should rather be concerned with her own mental degeneration!!! However, she could propose to her own husband that he go take a look for another since he wants to, if that is what she likes! We really need to censor the Gulf channels: ever since they became widespread throughout Tunisia, it has been a collapse! Every idiot is putting a veil on their head, and it has become all the fashion - as is the make-up that matches it! - even though it takes light years to understand the Qur'anic message. Another bunch of Tunisian women is transforming into caricatured Middle Eastern singers, who are the incarnation of sex objects themselves!!! In the streets, the shameless and the vain now combine into the worst of species. Clearly, some of those in veils are of true conviction, and all the better for them. The "normal" women are nothing more than a minority!!! Stop absorbing everything that comes from the Arab television channels! We did not have these problems when we only had French channels, which were more controlled than we had previously believed in regards to the cultural message that they broadcast. (Basically, there were no nude girls 24/7.) For proof, look at the blatant difference between women older than 35 or 40 and the young girls who wear veils or are completely shameless. In response to a comment above: this has nothing to do with any sort of dictatorship or Bourguiba, the only Arab leader who had the guts to empower women! Stop with your Islamist propaganda, it does not fool anyone!

ahmed Posted 2009-08-17

To all the “B@H’s” out there, who say that "Anyone who encourages this is stupid"- I would like to tell you that not only are you stupid, but you also are an idiot. Previously, there was the right to polygamy, yet our grandfathers did not marry three women. However, there are cases where one is obliged to remarry because they have a sick wife who cannot have children. Moreover, dear guy, most men who practice their right to have a second wife, they're doing fine, and I am one of them, Mr. Backwards, and apparently impotent, or...

Nejma Posted 2009-08-18

Miss Sahbi- First of all, if you want Tunisia to re-establish polygamy, then you should forget about the word "polygamy": if Polygamy comes back, then there will be divorces!!! Instead of using and demonising single and divorced women, you need to first understand the source for the conflict between men and women, as was pointed out in this article: domestic violence and socio-cultural differences are the sources of conflicts between Tunisian couples. Your reaction against women is scandalous. Not only do you lash out at the free, independent women, but you are also trying to make them lose their rights and send them back to the Middle Ages under male domination. Why not lash out against the divorced and single men, who are not without work in trying to set up a daily harem while out walking? In my opinion, the problem is more complex than this, and, in order to resolve it, we need to expand upon this debate at the public level and get researchers, professors, artists and politicians working in order to educate the people about the idea of a conjugal couple in our modern society.

karima Posted 2009-08-18

IT IS SHOCKING TO SEE SUCH IDEAS IN OUR TIME! HOW SHE CAN SUGEST A THING LIKE THIS?? WE ARE ALMOST THE ONLY ARABIAN COUNTRY WHICH RESPECT AND GIVE THE MORE RIGHTS TO WOMEN AND ESPECIALLY WIFES,AND SHE WANT AS TO RETURN BACK 50 OR 60 YEARS AGO???? IT'S ABNORMAL THAT A WOMAN THINK LIKE THAT ,I CAN ANDERSTAND IF A MAN SUGEST THIS BUT A TUNISIAN WOMAN?????

Tarek Cheniti Posted 2009-08-18

The translation made of a comment I made in French is not quite right. Here is what I exactly said- could you please use the following comment instead of the one you've posted in response to the English version of this article? "Polyagamy will never be legalized again in Tunisia, simply because women in this country (and men by the way) are more concerned about their careers prospects than mariage and family. Tunisian women are also very aware of the unique privilege the secular 'Code of Personal Status' have given them in comprison to women in the Arabic-speaking and muslim countries in general. For example, most divorces are currently filed by wives. To me if there are still people who call for a return to polygamy, that is a rather normal sign of ideological diversity which should exist in all modern societies. It is not a sign of regress"

RACHID Posted 2009-08-19

Do not forget that the late Bourguiba established the anti-polygamy law, which was the first of its kind in Africa, because he wanted all the beautiful women and girls for himself. God rest the liberator of Tunisia.

Selma Posted 2009-08-19

I find it truly shameful that they would propose polygamy as a solution! Adultery exists in all countries, including countries where polygamy is authorised!!! The proof is that if you take a nice walk in August around Paris’ more beautiful districts, you will see polygamous Saudis and Kuwaitis wandering about in search of young, beautiful Maghreb women, whom they employ as luxurious prostitutes! The societies where the shariah is followed to the letter are the same societies where vice is omnipresent. The only difference is that everything is done in secret. They take the women away in gilded cages and steal their passports. They drink alcohol in secret!!! I am outraged at this lady's reaction, who does not even respect the dedicated, long work of Bourguiba's fight for our emancipation.

z Posted 2009-08-19

And, what if the man is the one who is sterile, as is the case for more than 50% of sterile couples? Can the woman marry another man without letting go of the first man!?!

علي صالح Posted 2009-08-20

Praise be to God, peace and prayer be upon the messenger of God. First of all, scholars should know the origin of polygamy which is understood from the clear verse, God says “then marry such women as seem good to you, two and three and four; but if you fear that you will not do justice (between them), then (marry) only one”. This is the origin for a wisdom of God. It is clear although hidden to some. Then I say to the sister (صادقة مع نفسها) (sincere to herself) this is a rule of God not an invention of humans presented for voting of the supporters and opponents. As to the messenger of God, peace and prayer be upon him, he married those women for many interests including his saying “I like of your life perfume and women”. A person who practices polygamy shouldn't be blamed for marrying for a sexual desire as they say today or any other interest as long as it is within the limits of religion and if the parties agree. There is no harm in this. Moreover, there are many women who are willing to marry even if she will be a third or fourth wife rather than remain a spinster. I have seen many such examples. As to the allegation that the messenger refused that Ali Ben Abou Taleb take a second wife to Fatima, this is one of the common misconceptions. The messenger of God, peace and prayer be upon him, objected that marriage because she was the daughter of the enemy of God Abou Jahl. Ali; God bless him, died and left four wives. As to opposing the idea of polygamy, it is a purely western idea and their invention although they are organizing recently serious conferences to study the issue. Many of their intellectuals think that polygamy is in favour of woman rather than man. It is known that the desire of woman is higher than that of man as she enjoys him more than he does. This is the result of research by their prominent researchers. In addition to pleasure, woman has more needs including aliment, food, beverage and dress. Restricting pleasure to man alone is unfair for those who seek fairness. Then there is the issue of the inability to subsist for the family. This is the result of a weakness in belief that God offers sustenance. We don't need to debate this as everyone of us knows that his livelihood isn't gained by his skill, but it is God who decides livelihoods between people. There are many stupid rich people and there are many smart poor people. We must support the right although it contradicts whims. No one is coerced to accept polygamy be it woman or man. As to debating an issue authorized by God, this is a great danger.

hajer Posted 2009-08-20

I do not even know why this debate is open. Before talking about this, there is one important point you should know: there are fewer women than men. Indeed, use the Internet to find the statistics. In Tunisian, the men make up 50.6% of the population and women 49.4%. Polygamy is thus impossible. And, if there are old, single women, then it is because they would prefer to be alone rather than ill married. Indeed, the men in Tunisia are less educated than women and are ever more selfish, cruelly lacking in maturity and having no sense of responsibility. (In any case, this is so for a large number of them.) I am a young woman, age 26. I am an engineer. I prefer remaining single to marrying a frivolous man.

Anonymous Posted 2009-08-20

Attention those who continue to worship the Great Bourguiba, who knew how to respect women. When he was a student in France, he married a Frenchwoman by the name of Mathilde. She supported him and thus permitted him to finish his studies. She then followed him to Tunisia, where she bore him a son. During colonial times, she supported him against her country, France. She continued to support him while he was in detention. Once he became president, he divorced her in order to marry his mistress, Ouassila. Behind the back of Mathilde, who was devoted to him and to Tunisia's national cause, he found a means to prove how monogamous he was. Later, he went on to divorce Ouassila, treating her like a prostitute and accusing her of having cheated on him with other men. Bourguiba's ministers witnessed how, during cabinet meetings, he treated his son like a son of a whore. This has been a run-through picture of the hero of Tunisian women, the Champion of Monogamy and Fidelity. In short, he was a man who knew how to respect women and also how to torture and rape them when they criticised his policies. Look to yourselves for other examples of morality and monogamy.

tunisien modeste Posted 2009-08-21

In complete respect for everyone here, I wonder why everyone becomes aggressive when we speak about legally recognising polygamy, when most are in favour of recognising the legal status of homosexual couples. If you want to talk about private freedoms, then leave the choice up to everyone to form a relationship that is fitting for them. May no one judge anyone else. Democracy guarantees the principle of equality, does it not? And, this applies in all senses. In my modest opinion, any change is acceptable on the condition that it comes from the needs of Tunisian society and not from anyone whosoever's influence. We have a code.

Eng.HasanAl-Bahkali Posted 2009-08-22

The Muslim has polygamy to avoid mistresses. Banning polygamy is a method adopted by countries which don't have Islam as religion and it is a contradiction of nature and the order of God. But the important condition in this is need and justice “but if you fear that you will not do justice (between them), then (marry) only one”. Engineer Hasan Al Bahkali.

Marie-Luise1 Posted 2009-08-22

Tunesia, in my eyes, is the best country of the Magreb where we spent our vacation 7 years in a row. We saw no fundamentalist headscarves, and no polygamy, but modern women. Keep it that way, p l e a s e, and do not subcumb to political Islamists! Regards from Germany

محمد الهادي Posted 2009-08-22

“The idea of polygamy was met with sarcasm by seminar participant Nissrine, who asked if Tunisians were so capable of satisfying one woman that now they were ready to marry a second and a third”. May God curse you woman. How dare you speak in this way about man in Tunisia or the Tunisian man? Many of our women have deviated from reason, decency, purity and purity of the word far from the gentleness and decency which are associated to women. This woman is not worth a nail. I feel sorry for the man who has to support her. Fortunately, the majority of Tunisian women are polite. This woman is of a bad trade mark.

Ben Salah Posted 2009-08-23

I do not know if I should respond to Miss Sahbi and Essia, who have either lost their consciences or have suffered a severe brainwashing. Their reasoning is based on nothing but idiocy, demonstrating the baseness of their intellectual standing. How can polygamy put the brakes on debauchery and corruption? It would be quite the opposite. This is but a way to reinforce everyone's greed. Take a small look around and you will understand. The abolition of polygamy is an achievement that we cannot renegotiate or re-open just to satisfy a few Salafists, who want to push us backward. There are countries who hold a grudge against us because we have acquired this right so quickly, while others are fighting just to free themselves from this chokehold in spite of the few steps they have made (for example, Morocco). Imagine what he situation would be if polygamy were restored after being abolished for so many years. It would be misery. How could a father who cannot make ends meet with one family do so with two or three? It would be poverty to the point of anarchy.

Alimoss Posted 2009-08-23

It seems that there is no bother discussing the religious point of view because it is what it is. This is to say: this situation has been around for a long time and the divergences in it still exist. Sociologically speaking, I think that this is no longer a possibility in this Tunisian society of ours. There reasons are many and both cultural and economic. Moreover, in my opinion, this is going to create more problems than it will resolve. The prohibition of polygamy in favour of adultery interests only one, well-determined social category which is well at ease. It also seems that many men who do this do not want their mistresses to become their wives one day.

Tounsi Posted 2009-08-23

Do not forget that Ben Ali had a son outside of marriage with Leila. He had a child with Leila while he was still married to his first wife. Decidedly, the presidents of Tunisia are examples of virtue.

louay chahine Posted 2009-08-24

Oh, please let us not be duped!!! No politician is exempt from making mistakes. No one ever said that Bourguiba was a saint. Moreover, which politician out there would dare claim saintliness? This Manichean way of explaining any one person's political approach make me laugh. It lacks maturity and a logical mind. First of all, render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s!!! Let us be honest: "Anonymous", you have qualified Bourguiba as a demagogue in order to situate your own interests. Haha. That said, not once did you specify your opinion on polygamy. In my opinion, there are two possible readings of your comments. If you are in favour of it, then that would explain your attitude and your attempt to discredit him, as you intend to justify polygamy. For my part, I find this silly and groundless. Polygamy as an expression of women's liberty - that makes me laugh! Your approach seems surrealistic and illogical. If you are against it, it seems that you are trying to make women aware that they need to take things into their own hands, and that they would have obtained this liberty with or without Bourguiba. To that regard, I bow to your free spirit of protest! :)

أنيس الساحلي Posted 2009-08-24

The day has come when we debate in Tunisia polygamy after we thought that the topic cannot be discussed at all. The state has begun reaping the fruits of the policy of arabization which it has adopted since the change and which it still practice now fiercely ignoring the outcomes it will reap. It is driving society towards the west and its backward ideas that are foreign to us after the western French culture was the dominant. We won’t be surprised if one day a forum is organized about the topic of unofficial marriage or implementing the Islamic Sharia in Tunisia. My call to the state is to stop arabization, review the media message which is excessively arabized (TV, radio and press), review the educational system, return to teaching scientific subjects in the lower secondary in French, reduce number of hours for teaching Arabic and remove if from the higher secondary and from administrative transactions. We must preserve our Tunisian identity open to everyone and not limit it to an Arab-Eastern circle in order to reform what we have corrupted. May God rest your soul Bourguiba. You had a vision of the future as if you were a fortune-teller who predicts the future.

Raj Posted 2009-08-25

Its amazing to see the level of maturity, modern approach and overall "the rational thinking" that the Tunisians have shown on this forum against polygamy, which is very hard to find in few muslim countries. I have a Tunisian colleague who tells how moderate the country, but I was a bit skeptic, he is indeed true.

anti-polygamie!!! Posted 2009-08-25

It is a shame to see a Tunisian idiot demand polygamy. Personally, I propose that this idiot go somewhere else and live like an animal in some place like Saudi Arabia, where women are worth nothing and only represent sex objects or baby-making tools!!! Everyone is free to have the relations they want outside of marriage!!! As for the others, they can go away too. Our laws protect women, and it is perfect that way!!! Shame on those of you who are demanding polygamy. You can go to Afghanistan. Tunisia will be better off without you!!!

Ahmed Tounsi Posted 2009-08-26

The woman who proposed this did so during a meeting of a rotten party. She is a provocateur. Her goal is to start a debate about a problem that does not even exist so as to divert the debate about the lack of democracy in Tunisia and the grip that a few thugs, thieves and criminals have over it. President Ben Ali will now come in just like Zorro and say that he will not allow obscurantism establish itself in our country (in spite of his radio station Ezzitouna).

Aymen Posted 2009-08-28

For the author, the prophet (peace be upon him) is called Mohammed and not Mahomet !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! try to show a bit of respect for these who are reading your article.

CHERNI ARBI Posted 2009-08-28

This appeal for polygamy is a new attempt at regressing us to obscurantism and ignorance under the pretext of finding a solution for a social problem, as there are more women than men. I would like to ask this woman a question: What are we going to do if the situation reverses after two or three decades (meaning there are more men than women)? Would you propose that women marry two men? :-) Honestly, this is strange. The Tunisian government has been asked to face off against this woman and anyone else who calls for polygamy.

bigbil Posted 2009-08-30

In Islam conditions to marry one wife are the same conditions as in marrying the second wife, third and fourth. This condition is financial and moral ability. As to our Tunisian brothers, they have moved away from Islam. They don't fast in Ramadan and eat publicly. They reject Hijab. They don't accept polygamy because now they commit adultery freely and encourage tourism. But Most sure!y your Lord is watching; I will most certainly prevail, I and My apostles. They shall know to what final place of turning they shall turn back. Oh servants of God, you still don't want to wake up. The companions were defeated in the battle of Ouhoud because they had disobeyed the messenger, peace be upon him. But you I will tell you what Ibn Jobair said to Al Hajjaj “i am astonished at the patience of God with you and at your audacity to God”.

amira charfeddine Posted 2009-09-01

Well, polygamy ought to be taboo. What is more, this does not even concern us! Ever since Taher el Hadded, Bourguiba and as supported by Ben Ali, polygamy has never been an ideology that concerns Tunisia, which is a country that aims for modernity. As a woman, I shout long and loud that I am against any women who calls for polygamy or the veil or anything that represents women being subjected to fundamentalists and they justify with a few versus in the Qur'an they hijacked for their own interests. No to polygamy!!! No!!!

tunisiano Posted 2009-09-02

Those who are against polygamy, what is their opinion about extra-marital relations?

reda 2 casa Posted 2009-09-04

Polygamy is permitted by Islam. It would be better to encourage it through our institutions with adequate measures than to prohibit it. Morocco is reigned over by a Commander of the Believers, who adopted this way of doing things, simultaneously following the precepts of Islam and the path to the modernisation of society, where women have more and more professional responsibilities.

عاطف Posted 2009-09-10

This topic is undebatable at all, there is no debate for what was instructed by God the Almighty. Who I am or who anyone else is to enter into a debate on what God the Almighty has instructed. God knows our conditions and what is better for us, our Creator and the Creator of everything. Those who say the opposite don't believe in God and don't deserve to live in the Tunisian country. Therefore, they cannot express their opinions about its laws because our country is Islamic. We must therefore implement the instructions of Qur'an and the tradition of the messenger of God, peace and prayer be upon him. The Tunisian country is an Islamic country. Therefore, its law should be based on the instructions of Qur'an and the tradition. The Civil Status code came with different things in its articles referring to western laws. Therefore, it has to be reviewed. This is why we say either we implement the instructions of our Islamic region and be a true Islamic nation or follow the laws of the west and thus make it non-Islamic. It is not logical that we follow two paths at the same time. This includes some kind of hypocrisy and disregard of the people.

KEMPO Posted 2009-09-12

This is why I, being partisan to monogamy, am personally convinced that the concept of polygamy tends to be more beneficial and respectful towards women than a good number of the freedoms that we tolerate today. Far from being a dreamer, I know to this regard that if polygamy were to be lightly regulated, it could create more problems than solutions. This is why it is necessary for judges to address the conditions and regulations in the Tunisian context. The aim is not to establish polygamy - we can suppose that the number of polygamous couples would be small if this were applied - but to change people and make them responsible. It is such that the concept of polygamy in Islam tends to fulfil this aim.

عاطف Posted 2009-09-13

Those who oppose polygamy also oppose the orders of God the Almighty. Brothers and sisters, don't consider this issue with intolerance. You should transcend yourselves to higher levels and examine more the issue. I address my words to women who express their opinions from one starting point that is jealousy and selfishness. These are base qualities which we also find in animals. Therefore, we should transcend ourselves to higher levels in our thought, study the causes for which polygamy was instituted. I also address my words to men. I tell them the same thing. Polygamy is not intended for sexual satisfaction. This quality is also present in animals. We should transcend ourselves from these things. God the Almighty orders things only for the interest of Muslims. There is no doubt about this. Oh brothers and sisters, contemplate and search, then you will find that polygamy is beneficial for the Islamic society. It boosts its stability and prevents its split so that Muslims will be present on earth to the Day of Judgment, God willing. By God, the status of woman in the Umma of Islam is the most sublime rank in any other Umma. We just stress here in this issue fairness between wives. This is a main condition. Therefore, the west focused woman in order to destroy the Islamic Umma because it is aware that woman is the backbone of society. It has thus distorted the image of religion in her view. It has portrayed Islam as a prison, chains, fanaticism, retardation and backwardness. So she removed her veil, lost her shamefulness and rivaled man in all fields of labour which don't suit her. She neglected her house, her children are lost, she followed the depraved western values, she imitated western woman although the latter is very humiliated, if she doesn't work, she can't live, would be stumbled over, when she grows older, she enters elderly homes. There is no solidarity, no honoring of parents and nothing. When she dies, one of her sons sends funeral fees. So who has honored woman and who has humiliated her? There is the last day on which no one will be of any help to anyone. Don't try to forget it. Act according to the instructions of God and His messenger in order to enjoy the eternal paradise. This life is ephemeral. I don't want you to regret when it is too late.

العين الناقدة Posted 2009-09-18

What is the taste of water to which sugar and salt are added? Sweet? Very salty? Or freshwater? Have we tasted it and found it is sweet, salty or fresh? Or are these mere words with which we lie to ourselves as we know it includes a big quantity of sugar and a similar quantity of salt? Or do we make ourselves believe that the one annuls the other? But the truth is that freshwater is made up of two molecules of hydrogen and one molecule of oxygen (H2O) and no other component entered into its composition. If it loses its freshness it will relatively take the quality of the dominant component. The religion of God is true only if it is from God, the messenger and is materialized by pious and learned believers. Muslims believe that it is their religion is true because they know it includes tolerant values, fair and just rules. But they didn't discern that it is valueless when it enters into conflict with positive values and laws. The messenger, peace be upon him, was sent in Mecca. But he did not establish the State of Islam there because hindering forces were bigger than the assisting forces until he found a land in which the balance was in favour of the religion of God. So he immigrated their and established it their. His word was the upper word which was tasted in its reality by everyone who got rid of the hegemony of the religion of polytheism and lived in that land. Was it not possible for the messenger, peace be upon him, while he was in Mecca to order his followers, who were a minority, to wear the religious dress, implement sanctions, apply the rules of God, practice religious orders and all other worship while turning a blind eye to the majority which was not convinced by the religion of God leaving for them a freedom of practice? Why hadn't he done so? This is because he understood that Quraish, as a powerful and dominant force, wouldn't let him do. And even if he had done, they would have fought him until they restore him to their faith, they would have tamed his followers to the point of exhausting them of their will to change so they would have accepted these scrubs. They would have rebelled for a moment if they are subject to attack or elimination of their rests neglecting the essence of religion because “There is no other God but Allah” means equality between everyone, elimination of social differences, discrimination and that his orders are complementary, not essential, a priority which comes after liberation from slavery and occupation in a space ensuring its continuity. Therefore it was imposed and practiced in Al Madinah. Those who call for polygamy or the implementation of Islam in general are fanciful and wrong in classing priorities. The hungry drowning person must be saved then fed.

العين الناقدة Posted 2009-09-28

When I read reactions of readers, my attention was drawn to a few points which deserve comment. These include “We are free women not followers”. The speaker mixes up masculine and feminine. While she should have used free in the feminine form. Unless she used the expression intentionally as she denies her femininity and depicts the role of man in a role which she has not completed until she has unknowingly uncovered herself. She had not completed the sentence when her unconscious took her back to her nature saying “we aren't followers” in the feminine form. Since what is bred in the bone will come in the flesh. Her tongue didn't follow in saying we're not followers in the masculine. If one observes similar comments, one will notice many similar examples. I have followed for example a debate between men and women on a satellite channel about the analogy of man to woman in all conditions since progress reached the level of denying the specificity of the gender. The enthusiasm of women was high but the men were flattering, speaking with diplomacy. In the end, one of the participants commented on the attitude of woman in one of the sensitive fields. A woman immediately replied saying this is specific to woman and men don't have the right to interfere with it. One man concluded saying “What about us? Don't we have specific traits you don't have the right to interfere with?” Freedom is the absence of hurdles hindering movement. But once it exists, it attacks it gradually until it stops it. Women who think they are free are dreaming, because they are dependent on their femininity. They cannot get rid of associated hurdles including a distinct emotional structure different from men, a different reproductive system including the womb, breasts and menstruation. If they can get rid of these things forever - though this is impossible - then they will be free. Then they will lose their reason for existing, because there will be an accumulation in the number of men that will disrupt human existence. There are many fanciful ideas filling the heads of some women - for example, they think that wearing the dress of piety is the will of the “male” society or the will of radical political powers. They think that women who abide by this dress code aren't free, but followers of that society or these forces. Is this really like this or is it the nature of things that a woman can only be faithful to one man and thus she hides her beauty from the public? She saves it and dedicates it to the person she loves and she is faithful even if another woman shares him with her?

العين الناقدة Posted 2009-10-01

There are common features among people. Those who are aware of them will feel the other. Feelings of hunger and deprivation can be absent for the rich for some time, and he sees others equal. This is because his comfortable conditions and situation prevent him from seeing reality with the bare eye. A person who travels in a car only sees flashes about the reality of the road. He cannot see what really happens with precision. But the person who travels on a bicycle feels better but his vision is still imperfect. However, the person who moves on foot will walk in the same pace with others, shares with them the same conditions and thus shares the same feelings. Therefore, the judgment of those who judge others from their ivory towers, reports, theories and writings without mixing up with the public, without sharing their conditions and situations, doesn't evaluate facts in reality and it doesn't correspond to situation because only those “who step on fire that can feel it”. “The suffering of a person can only be felt by someone who went through the same suffering”. The religion of God institutes for believers acts of worship which makes them really feel the hungry and deprived. The act of fasting for example, if its philosophy is respected especially voluntary fasting. When he is with people who practice their ordinary life, he feels that he is deprived and banned from authorized things while he is in the presence of people who consumes them freely. Then he feels some of the suffering of the deprived. Therefore, he tends to relinquish some of what he has in favour of the deprived and neglect a little the self. Those who are only concerned about themselves are ignorant. “and (there was) another party whom their own souls had rendered anxious; they entertained about Allah thoughts of ignorance quite unjustly”. The woman who denies her deprived sister sharing the capable husband if two conditions are met: justice, total independence of every household. Isn't this considered ignorance in language of Qur'an and selfishness in the language of the era? It denies human rights implemented without exception of sex, a class, category or religion because it is integral. Authorizing or banning polygamy cannot be solved through emotions or demagogy but through a scientific precise and neutral diagnosis after evaluating results of the era in which prohibition was implemented. If diagnosis goes to what some souls don't like, this is would be the result of the inability of humans to grasp its wisdom.

Lionceaux Posted 2009-10-11

There is a lot of aggression on the part of the people who are against polygamy. They talk about “regression” and “steps backwards”. We need to first of all define what defines polygamy before we talk about whether it takes us forward or backward. And, in my opinion, those characteristics originate in the current situation; forward is the direction in which the advantages outweigh what's inconvenient. So, monogamy is not a step forward, as such words are not based on logical proofs. Men are polygamous by nature. We are not going to change people’s psychology, so why deprive man of his natural right? Most Tunisians are middle class, so, generally, polygamy will be quite limited. As for women who have sterile husbands, they need to divorce them if they want a baby. But, men have another solution, so why force men to face a problem that they could solve just because women cannot solve it in the same way? Men who are against polygamy are against it out of envy: they cannot practice it because they lack the means. Women are against it out of jealousy and lack of confidence in themselves. Miss Dalanda is free of psychological complexes. I hope that this right is authorised for Tunisian Muslim men as quickly as possible. Development has nothing to do with having one or two wives. The laws of physics are going to apply to a man with one wife just as much as to a man with two. What causes development is thinking, science and freedom.

تونسية حرة Posted 2009-10-16

I am waiting impatiently for this law. Honestly, I am a woman who was left behind by the train of marriage. I got acquainted with a married man. We loved each other so much but I didn't want to have an affair with him, which would make God angry. There are many people like us in Tunisia. The law of polygamy will certainly solve our problem and the problem of many. Facts should not be hidden, you who hide behind illusory rights. This has only worsened things in the Tunisian society. You just have to go and see results of debauchery in orphanages. I am not the only one who supports polygamy. I can say that most single women I know support it. This is the rule of God, God knows and you don't know. Regardless of those who are capable of fairness or not, their intention in polygamy, we leave this between him and his Lord. We are not in a position to judge people for their intention. There is a Lord who watches you, but you don't see Him. So fear God, people, in single women, and pass us this law.

tunisien Posted 28 days ago

Polygamy is the stupidest thing I've ever heard of. It is not permissible in religion. I will explain to you why. First of all, in the era of the prophet, there were many battles and martyrs. Therefore, there were orphans and widows without any source of living. Today, woman can work, can rely on herself. Moreover, those who marry more than one woman do this just for sex. Where are we in terms of caring for orphan and protecting women from being homeless? Secondly, the verse authorizing polygamy was, in the opinion of some, conditional and under impossible-to-achieve conditions. It was not banned categorically because the era in which the verse was inspired there were many wars. Women at that time weren’t working and couldn’t take offer a living to their children. Thirdly, God created for Adam one Eve. Fourthly, there are problems emanating from polygamy. They are even worse than the problems of spinsterhood from the perspective of the family environment in which there are more than one wife. It is run under the law of the jungle. There is no balance. If a man marries four wives and everyone wants two children at least. There will be a total of eight children. How can a father supervise eight children when he's at a different house every day? Finally, the messenger of God, peace and prayer be upon him, ordered Ali, God bless him, not to [allow polygamy with] his daughter Fatima Azzahra. Did the messenger disapprove of polygamy in the case of his daughter alone? Polygamy is a problem not a solution. It is stupid to raise it again under the name of Islam and religion because it is not permissible in religious terms and the mind doesn’t accept it.

العين الناقدة Posted 17 days ago

“Polygamy is the most stupid thing I heard of in my life. It is not authorized in religion and I will tell you why." Where have you heard about this? In which language will you explain it to us? Is it in Arabic? Don't you need to learn its simplest rules? Isn't the object of “Laysa” Mansoub? If you are incapable of writing without mistakes, will you be capable of interpreting one of the issues ordered by your religion? Or is it not important for you, no matter the form of the object, therefore it is not important whether your interpretation is correct, corresponds or disagrees with religion, what matters for you is to reject what you don't like? “Firstly, in the era of the Messenger, there were many battles and martyrs. Therefore, there were many orphans and widows who had no source of support." Where did you get that pretext from? Has religion organised or instituted polygamy? Have wars stopped, and their human losses stopped as well, or have they increased as well as their lethal power with the development of the power of modern weapons, in addition to weapons of mass destruction? Associating the legislation of polygamy with the high number of wars and battles, and thus the high number of widows and orphans, is not a valid point. Referring to it should be on the basis of a documented, neutral, impartial and pious side. “Secondly, the verse authorizing polygamy is stated in the opinion of some with a conditional style. And it is impossible to meet the condition." Anyone who orders something which is impossible to achieve in reality is just a kid, immature, or a short-sighted person. But attributing these qualities to the Wise Creator is impossible. Only an aberrant, ignorant person who doesn't know the real value of the Beneficent can attribute to Him these qualities. The condition associated with polygamy is the fear of not achieving justice, not its impossibility. And this is left to the person who chooses polygamy, since he alone is responsible for his decision and knows the limits of his psychological powers “cannot act equitably” and material “that you may not deviate from the right course”. Those who are concerned that they can't provide for more than one family should only take one woman. The speech is addressed to the pious, because Sourat Annisa is introduced with an order of piety. Those who aren't pious, violate His limits by manipulating laws whenever they are instituted. The apostate defeats the human controller regardless of the numerous and developed means of control, unless the deterrent is severe and firm. Therefore, punishment was postponed to the afterlife because human laws and investigations are incapable of controlling violations of experts in manipulation.

العين الناقدة Posted 10 days ago

“And if a woman fears ill usage or desertion on the part of her husband, there is no blame on them, if they effect a reconciliation between them, and reconciliation is better, and avarice has been made to be present in the (people's) minds; and if you do good (to others) and guard (against evil), then surely Allah is aware of what you do. And you have it not in your power to do justice between wives, even though you may wish (it), but be not disinclined (from one) with total disinclination, so that you leave her as it were in suspense; and if you effect a reconciliation and guard (against evil), then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (Annisae: 128-129). The two verses show that justice in behaviour is a human weakness which cannot be met even with parents, children or friends. A wife can go through times when she reaches the top of her attractiveness and the husband becomes very fond of her. But she also goes through periods in which she becomes weak and it deserts her. He abstains from intercourse with her as a result of the lack of attractiveness. He can also totally avoid her when he finds satisfaction with someone else. Here comes the ban from being inclined fully to the other and leaving the other suspended, neither married benefiting from all her marital rights, nor divorced having the right to pursue her marital life with another man. So God calls upon the spouses to reform this odd situation by overcoming avarice, the wife makes a compromise by relinquishing some of her rights and the husband by making an effort to grant her the minimum of her marital rights.

شروط Posted 7 days ago

Yes, but with conditions.