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Algerian Imam Sparks Controversy: "Do Not Marry Your Daughters to This Group of Young Men
A well-known Algerian imam has ignited widespread controversy on social media platforms after recommending that parents refrain from marrying their daughters to those who do not own a home or have a job.
During a lecture in Blida, located 52 kilometers south of the Algerian capital, Imam Moussa Azzouni stated, "There are those who do not have a place to live and ask to marry your daughter. Where will you take her? I will not marry you to her... have a cup of coffee and leave... I swear I will not give you my daughter without a home."
Azzouni added, "There is no affection in these matters. I tell you two things: do not marry your daughter to someone who does not work and does not have a home. This is what the scholars say about someone who cannot provide for your daughter’s food, drink, and medical care—keep her with you.
These remarks sparked a wave of reactions online, with many activists criticizing this viewpoint. One commenter said, "Most Algerians got married while living in the family home; if we follow this fatwa, the majority of girls in Algeria will not get married." Another added, "What if a person owns a home and then loses it after marriage? Are we going to separate the couple? The imam's statement is illogical."
Conversely, some individuals agreed with the imam's opinion, pointing out that many marital problems arise from living in the same house as the husband's family. One stated, "Most problems between couples occur due to them living in the family home."
Following the uproar caused by his statement, Imam Azzouni issued a clarification indicating that "any statement taken out of context can harm both the speaker and the listener, especially since what was raised was an excerpt from a discussion where there was interaction between me and the audience regarding marriage issues."
He concluded his remarks by stating, "Those who know me understand that I do not deny any young man the right to live with his family; I am a son of the poor people, living in the inner neighborhoods, and I know the concerns of my nation and country."
