Bahrain: A row over a proposal to make couples undergo mandatory lessons in love before getting married brought proceedings in the Shura Council to a halt yesterday.
The council was discussing amendments to the 2004 Pre-marital Check-up Law that would make courses in marriage skills compulsory.
The Shura Council’s woman and child committee chairwoman, Hala Fayez, who is spearheading the move, said the main aim of the proposal was to reduce divorce rates in Bahrain.
“We have to provide hopeful couples with marital skills for a healthy married life.
“Most divorces occur because of lack of proper awareness on how to deal with partners.
“Teaching marital mannerisms will ensure that problems are overcome and that partners have a clear understanding of how to resolve issues of conflict.
“It will also ensure that the marriage and children are not harmed.
“Malaysia has managed to bring down divorce rates from 32 per cent to seven pc after introducing a similar obligation.
“We are working to prevent things from worsening and reaching the divorce stage.”
Council second vice-chairwoman Jameela Nusaif said that the idea was advanced and could not be implemented in Bahrain now.
“We need a national programme involving cgovernment and civil societies oncerned and trained professional instructors without whom implementing such an obligation would be difficult.”
Council member Dr Ahmed Al Arrayedh said hopeful couples should be taught marital skills at home and not by an instructor.
“People should grow up knowing how to deal with their partner. It is illogical to teach people how to sleep with their partners or have sex with them. Such things should come from the heart and naturally.”
Council chairman Ali Saleh Al Saleh struck Dr Al Arrayedh’s comments from the records, calling them irrelevant.
Council member Dr Mansoor Sarhan ridiculed the proposal saying it would be purposeless.
“The amendments have lost their way and will not achieve anything and should be introduced as just awareness classes,” he said.
“Will those with multiple marriages be obliged to undergo the same course each time?
“Will by-laws mention that these courses should be provided by married instructors and not unmarried ones?”
Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain said debate on the issue was the most entertaining ever since he was elected an MP in 2002 and now with his new role as minister.
“The proposal is unconstitutional since it has nothing to do with the law it will be incorporated into.
“It just makes the course an obligation on those who want to get married in Bahrain, but what about Bahrainis who want to get married abroad,” he questioned.
“The law the amendments will be incorporated into is under the Health Ministry, but the course will be under the Labour and Social Development Ministry. So, is the council suggesting that the overall responsibility will be that of the Health Minister but when it comes to the new obligation the other minister will be responsible?”
Mr Al Saleh suggested a way out of the row, saying that four council members will be sent to Malaysia – two for and two against the proposal.
“I will make the arrangements with the Malaysian Embassy so we can reach a conclusion when a vote is taken.
“I believe that the proposal is noble and valid with divorce rates rising.”
He was cut short by council first vice-chairman Jamal Fakhro who said there was no issue to tackle since divorce in Bahrain was only around seven pc last year.
“We are not facing a crisis; the amendments would be beneficial if the divorce rate was 30pc.”
Under the current law, couples are required to have medical tests to detect chronic, hereditary and incurable illnesses before they tie the knot, although marriages are not prohibited based on the results.
However, the new proposal would add a requirement for couples to attend lessons in problem solving, respecting partners and life management skills.
The proposal has been backed by the services committee despite objections from the legislative and legal affairs committee, which has described it as unconstitutional.
The Health Ministry has also backed the idea in principle, but suggested awareness campaigns in schools and universities about the requirements of married life would be a better way to prepare couples for marriage.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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