Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has defended the use of public funds to support marriage programmes in states operating under Shariah law.
Drivetvnews gathered that Gumi made the position known in a statement shared on Facebook, arguing that governments have a responsibility to assist people who are unable to afford marriage in societies where sexual relationships outside marriage are prohibited by religious and state laws.
According to him, using public funds to help vulnerable young people get married can be regarded as part of responsible governance under a Shariah-based system.
His comments followed the Kano State Government’s mass wedding involving 1,500 couples under its Auren Gata initiative.
The wedding was organised by the Kano State Hisbah Board as part of the government’s social intervention programme.
The initiative is designed to support vulnerable couples, reduce the financial burden associated with marriage and provide economic and household assistance to help newly married couples establish their homes.
Gumi’s position has, however, added to the ongoing public debate over whether taxpayers’ money should be used to finance marriage programmes.
