The prevalence of cousin marriages is estimated to be 46.2% in Afghanistan. Regional differences exist in the rate, the Kabul province has a rate of 38.2% while Bamayan is higher at 51.2%.
Tajiks (Soni) and Turkmens (also Pashtuns) showed the lowest (α=0.0250) and highest (α=0.0297) mean inbreeding coefficients, respectively, among the ethnic groups in Afghanistan. The study shows that Afghanistan's populations, like other Islamic populations, have a high level of consanguinity.
In some South Asian, Middle Eastern, and north African countries, as many as half of marriages are consanguineous. 1 In Pakistan, half of the population marry a first or second cousin, more than in any other country.
Muslims have practiced marriages between first cousins in all countries since the time of the Prophet. Such marriages are allowed in many other religions and cultures as well.
As per recent medical research this is being said that marrying with your first cousin leads to birth of abnormal babies. But as far as we consider Islam, it gives open permissions to marry your first cousin, even in Quran marrying these relations are separately highlighted.
Arab populations have a long tradition of consanguinity due to socio-cultural factors. Many Arab countries display some of the highest rates of consanguineous marriages in the world, and specifically first cousin marriages which may reach 25-30% of all marriages.
Commonly, the relationship between the husband and wife is endogamous (with parallel and cross-cousin marriages preferred). However, while marriage between kin is common, families may also try to marry outside of their family to diversify their assets. People tend to marry within their tribe or ethnic group.
The Afghan Civil Law sets the minimum age for marriage at sixteen for girls and at eighteen for boys. A fifteen-year-old girl may however marry with their father's approval or with a positive ruling from the competent court. Marriage of girls under fifteen is not allowed under any circumstances.
The Republic of Afghanistan, which is an Islamic Republic under Sharia Law, allows for polygyny. Afghan men may take up to four wives, as Islam allows for such. A man must treat all of his wives equally; however, it has been reported that these regulations are rarely followed.
In Pakistan over 60% of marriages are between first or second cousins. The highest rates of such marriages have been reported in rural areas, among individuals with low educational level, and among the poorest. However, cousin unions are also common among landowning families.
Seven relations are prohibited because of consanguinity, i.e. kinship or relationship by blood, viz. mothers, daughters, sisters, paternal aunts, maternal aunts, and nieces (whether sister's or brother's daughters). In this case, no distinction is made between full and half relations, both being equally prohibited.
Cousin marriage, a form of consanguinity (marriages among couples who are related as second cousins or closer), is allowed and often encouraged throughout the Middle East, and in other Muslim countries worldwide such as Pakistan. As of 2003, an average of 45% of married couples were related in the Arab world.
Must first cousins be forbidden to marry? In the Bible, and in many parts of the world, the answer is no.
Cousin marriages were quite common here in the past. If we see our political leader shekh mujibur rahman had got married to his cousin sister. To save the purity if blood, it was a common practice then. But , nowadays, it is quite rare.
Australian law prohibits blood relatives from marrying and this includes adopted as well as natural children. Cousins are not prohibited from marrying one another.
In some jurisdictions, cousin marriage is legally prohibited: for example, in mainland China, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea, the Philippines and 24 of the 50 United States.
In the United States, second cousins are legally allowed to marry in every state. However, marriage between first cousins is legal in only about half of the American states.
The law bans marriage between close relatives, which is defined as lineal relatives, blood relative in the direct line of descent, and collateral relatives, such as cousins or uncles, to the third degree of relationship.
Marriage between first cousins is common in Afghanistan because families believe it is better to know their in-laws well. The two families live in the same modest housing compound in Kabul. "It's a very common problem.
It is forbidden to seek to convert Muslims to other faiths. You are not allowed to use, or bring into the country narcotics, alcohol or pork products.
Some mullahs in Afghanistan are distributing condoms. Others are quoting the Quran to encourage longer breaks between births. Health experts say contraception is starting to catch on in a country with the world's second highest maternal death rate.
In Afghanistan, marriage rarely involves the notion of “love”. Rather, it is a matter of duty and responsibility. In most cases, the boy's parents are the ones who make the proposal to the girl's parents.
Not all communities in Nangarhar have a tradition of asking for a bride price. Kandahar and Helmand: 1,000,000 to 3,000,000 afghanis (14,590 to 43,468 US dollars) (see: here). Bride price is known as walwar in Pashto-speaking areas and toyana and sherbaha in Dari-speaking areas.
The thumbs-up gesture is considered rude and has the same connotation as raising one's middle finger for traditional Afghans. The “OK” sign with the hand can symbolise the evil eye or something more lewd. Stroking one's beard or pounding a fist into one's hand may signify revenge.
Foreigners who want to marry in Kabul must first register the marriage at the Family Court, located in the Kabul Governor's House Compound. In the provinces, outside of Kabul, marriages can be registered at the civil courts.