[Today's Prayer] Iraq, 9-year-old marriage legalized... "End of women's and children's rights"
Updated: Jan 25

Human rights groups are harshly criticizing the Iraqi parliament for passing a bill that allows marriage of children as young as 9. Criticism is strong that it is the "end of women's and children's rights."
On the 21st, the Iraqi parliament passed the "National Personal Status Law Amendment Bill" that strengthens the authority of Islamic courts over family issues including marriage, divorce, and inheritance, allowing marriage of children as young as 9, British newspapers such as the Guardian reported on the 22nd.
Current Iraqi law stipulates the minimum age for marriage at 18, except in special cases, according to the "Personal Status Law" enacted in 1959. However, according to the revised law passed by the parliament this time, marriage is possible for children as young as 9, according to the interpretation of the Jafari school, which is followed by some of the majority Shia sect in Iraq.
(Omitted)
The conservative Shiite lawmakers who led the revision of the bill claim that it is to adjust the law in line with Islamic principles and to reduce Western influence on Iraqi culture.
However, criticism has poured in on this extreme revision of the law, which can effectively force girls as young as 9 to marry. Mohamed Juma, a lawyer who opposes the law, told the Guardian, “The rights of women and children in Iraq have reached the end.” Journalist Saja Hashim also said, “I fear that the clergy will have the upper hand in deciding the fate of women.” Raya Fayke, a women’s group, said, “Many women are crying because of the passage of the bill. They say their husbands have threatened to take their daughters away if they do not give up their financial support.”
Even before this revision of the law, child marriage has long been a problem in Iraq. According to a 2023 UN survey, 28% of Iraqi girls are married before the age of 18.
Child marriage is a problem not only in Iraq but also around the world. Child marriage often occurs in societies with gender inequality. Parents often force their daughters to marry due to poverty, and many girls who marry at a young age are subject to domestic violence. In addition, early marriage often leads to deprivation of educational opportunities and can have a negative impact on women's lives for the rest of their lives. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called for an end to child marriage by 2030, stating that one in five women worldwide marry before the age of 18.
Source: Nate News
And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:11-14)
We hear the sad news that Iraq, a conservative Shiite country, has passed a law allowing marriage of children as young as 9.
They claim that they are trying to adjust the law to Islamic principles and reduce Western influence on Iraqi culture, but the direction that the Iraqi parliament is pursuing is following Muhammad’s example of marrying 9-year-old Fatima.
Lord, do not ignore the foolishness of the Iraqi parliament and the Shiites, but may they turn and repent and realize that you have called and created women with the same gifts as men.
May the false prophets of Iraq, the delusions of Islam, and the lawlessness that drives Iraqi girls, who should be protected and educated, into marriage and childcare, or domestic violence and sexual abuse, be broken and renewed by the gospel and love of Jesus Christ.
May the Iraqi church, the Arab church, and the world church unite to endure to the end and spread the gospel, and may you grant Iraq the grace of eternal life when we serve Iraqi girls and families with the love of the cross of Jesus Christ.
So, may the Iraqi people obtain the mercy of Jesus Christ and God the Father through this gospel of the kingdom of heaven, and become a people who spread the gospel to all nations with the power of the Holy Spirit and testify to the second coming of the Lord!
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