- Title: PAKISTAN: Double wedding for one man
- Date: 19th October 2010
- Summary: BRIDE, MALVI (PRIEST), BRIDE'S FATHER AND OTHER CLOSE RELATIVES SITTING BRIDE SIGNING NIKAH NAMA (WEDDING CONTRACT) CLOSE OF SIGNATURE PRIEST PREPARING DOCUMENT TO MAKE WEDDING OFFICIAL GROOM GROOM HOLDING KNIFE IN GARLANDED HAND AS IS A LOCAL CUSTOM GROOM SIGNING WEDDING DOCUMENT CLOSE OF HAND SIGNING PRIEST AND RELATIVES PRAYING AFTER WEDDING IS MADE OFFICIAL
- Embargoed: 3rd November 2010 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Pakistan
- Country: Pakistan
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVACX3N7PSE885WVO5DNNJIQWNC6
- Story Text: A young man in Pakistan who is to marry two women within a span of two days, married the first bride in a traditional ceremony on Sunday (October 17).
The twin-bride wedding is taking place in an attempt to resolve a dilemma over marrying the woman to whom he had been engaged since childhood, or to wed the woman he loves.
Azhar Haideri, a 23-year-old practitioner in herbal medicines, wanted to marry his maternal cousin Romana Aslam to whom he had fallen in love, but his parents wanted his paternal cousin, Humera Qasim, to become their daughter-in-law.
The decision to marry his love threatened to split his family apart because arranged marriages are often customary in Pakistan.
After almost a year of persuasion, it was decided by him and the family elders of the family that he would have to marry both, local media reports said.
Haideri's marriage with Humera was made official on Sunday (October 17) night in a typical ceremony. He will marry Romana Tuesday (October 19) evening. A joint reception will be held Wednesday (October 20).
Haideri, a resident of Multan city in the central Punjab province, said both the weddings received the approval of the three families - the two brides' and his own.
He said he will try to keep both the brides happy.
Both the women plan to live as sisters and friends, it was reported.
The law in Pakistan permits polygamy, but men who take multiple wives usually do so years apart and must get approval from their first wife prior to a second marriage.
Islam, the main religion in the country, allows up to four wives. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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