Iranian Solution To Infidelity & Extramarital Sex: One-Hour Temporary (Polygamous) Imam-Approved One-Hump Marriages

You know how they always say that our culture will utlimately win the war for us?

I don't know. Between this and suckling from a female coworker's breast in order to reduce sexual tensions at the workplace, I'm startin' to think it will work the other way 'round.

SOME see it as a divinely sanctioned safety valve to ease sexual frustration; others call it a hypocritical cover for prostitution.

The Shia Muslim tradition of temporary marriage, or sigheh, allows a man and a woman in Iran to marry for a set period of time, ranging from an hour to 99 years.

I'm thinking the median will be closer to one hour than 99 years.

However, the practice is regarded as illicit sex by the majority Sunni community.

Even in Iran, it has been considered socially taboo and uncommon, but now the country's hardline interior minister has ignited controversy by promoting temporary marriage as a way of countering a perceived increase in illegal extra- and pre-marital sex.

Mostafa Pourmohammadi, a cleric, said: "We have to find a solution to meet the sexual desire of the youth who have no possibility of marriage. Temporary marriage is God's rule. We must encourage that."

Sexual frustration is acknowledged as a problem by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Half the country's population of 70 million is aged under 30, there is high unemployment and many young Iranians complain they cannot afford to get married or buy a house.

For some, sigheh strikes a balance between the needs of the flesh and the legal demands of marriage.

Gaining speedy conjugal rights simply requires registering the relationship with a local notary or, more commonly, taking an oral vow before a cleric.

...

Sigheh is seen as a way of channelling young people's sexual urges under Iran's strict sexual segregation. "I have no money to set up a matrimonial life. I don't want prostitutes. What should I do with my sexual needs?" asked Reza Sarabi, 23, a taxi driver.

One of his colleagues joked: "It's like being able to change your old car."

Critics say temporary marriages are biased in favour of men and will exacerbate prostitution, which is illegal in Iran but on the rise.

Bill Clinton just emailed to write "Sigheh, eh...?" Somehow, he closed with an emoticon of him scratching his chin in delighted curiosity.

I didn't know they had those.

Thanks to Vilmar.

Bad Video Reference after the jump.

Really short clip, really bad japanimation video to it. Plus, the cartoon characters are manipulated into homoerotic suggestiveness.

But if you were digging on pop music in 1984, you'll appreciate the reminder.

Still -- "Ooo-we sha-sha koo-koo yeah."

Since Islam is now apparently cribbing from Prince, will we soon learn that a hadith compels us all to "Throw your hands in the air and wave 'em like you just don't care"?

posted by Ace at 04:29 PM

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