How many people saw the program on SBS which dealt with Mohammed (a recovering Drug addict with HIV) and his search for a spouse using a matchmaker on SBS?
I have never before seen a show which highlights some of the more amazing aspects of the Islamic culture in Iran.
After some tortuous convolutions Mohammed meets a woman who has been married before, does NOT have HIV and who agrees that she would like to share her life with him. Since it is forbidden in Iran according to Islamic law for a man and a woman to have a relationship outside of marriage there is a LAW which permits them to marry for any length of time - specified in advance - which can be as brief as a moment or up to 99 years. The contract of marriage is accompanied by a 'dowry' which the male has to stipulate and pay if the marriage does not last for the duration of the agreed term.
Think about it folks.
You meet someone you like and he/she fancies you as well and while it is forbidden to get it on outside of the marriage - it really does not matter in Iran. You go to a religious lawyer, pay your fee, agree on a token dowry and then sign up for a time limited marriage which can be for as long as you both agree it should be.
It really depends in Iran (it seems) how long you think the relationship should last (or is likely to last). For a brief fling a marriage of say one day (and night) might suffice or an even lesser time if you think that this is too long.
It is no longer a question of anything apart from whether you think what you will gain from the relationship is worth the fee for the marriage celebrant and token dowry.
Who knew that having a relationship was so easy under Islamic law? Certainly seems to beat what is available in Australia. Here we have to promise a lifetime of commitment and then the penalties for any breach of contract are severe. How much more civilised to have a relationship which is limited to what the two people involved really think they can bear.
What is even more interesting is the commonality between the USA and Iran. Of course the two cultures do approach the issue from different ends. The Americans have the "quickie divorce" - Las Vegas style while the Iranians have the "quickie marriage" Teheran style
Then again - maybe there is a catch which no one mentioned during the program. Would anyone care to clarify?
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