Aug 28, 2007, 12:50 GMT
Tehran - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday said that he would prefer limitations to polygamy in Iran.
'There should be clear limitations in this regard,' Ahmadinjead replied to a question by state television on polygamy in Iran.
Under Islamic law, Siqeh - the local term for polygamy - is legal in Iran and Muslim men can simultaneously take four wives, although few Iranian men still do so.
'For Iranian men, one wife should be more than enough,' Ahmadinejad said with a smile on state television, implying that considering the tough economic situation, most men could no longer afford to support several wives.
Many women rights activists consider Siqeh another form of prostitution but Muslim scholars argue that for example widows with no income would enjoy more respect in the Iranian society as second wives rather than as singles.
'Women have a distinguished position in our society and should always be highly respected - but (the final say on) the issue (Siqeh) is outside government control and in the hands of the judiciary,' Ahmadinejad said.
Although harshly condemning Siqeh, some modern-minded and Westernised Iranians avail themselves of this system as men and women in Iran are only allowed to live together with a marriage or Siqeh certificate.
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