Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has defended the use of public funds to support marriage programmes in states operating under Shariah law, describing such interventions as part of responsible governance.
Gumi stated in a Facebook post on Thursday that governments in societies governed by Shariah have a duty to assist people who face financial difficulties in getting married.
He argued that government support for marriage is justifiable in societies where prostitution, fornication, adultery and promiscuity are prohibited by both religious and state laws.
According to the cleric, public intervention could also benefit women who outnumber eligible men, as well as young people who lack the financial resources to meet the costs associated with marriage.
His comments came amid controversy surrounding the Kano State Government’s mass wedding involving 1,500 couples under its Auren Gata initiative.
The ceremony, organised by the Kano State Hisbah Board, was introduced as part of the government’s social intervention efforts aimed at supporting vulnerable couples and easing the financial burden of marriage.
The programme also seeks to provide economic and household assistance to newly married couples.
The mass wedding, which took place last Friday, has generated debate over whether government funds should be used to finance marriage programmes.
Gumi, however, maintained that such expenditure is legitimate where the government is committed to upholding Shariah principles and discouraging social practices prohibited under Islamic law.
