On Dec. 22, 202, the office of the Supreme Religious Authority, Ali Al-Sistani[1], condemned the phenomenon of underage marriage in the Iraqi society.

This came as a number of questions regarding the marriage of underage girls were submitted to his office seeking the opinion of the highest religious authority. One of the questions read: “We have video recordings of clergymen giving a religious advice stating the legality of contracting marriages for children under the age of 15 in Iraq. Some of these clergymen refer to very young girls, as they specify sexual practices that they say are legal. Does the office of Al-Sistani condemn such advice from clergymen?”

The answer from Al-Sistani Office came: “This is condemned. We stress the need for the relevant authorities to prosecute those who appear in the garb of clerics and practice these acts and promote practices that have very bad consequences for the society and the position of religion in the hearts of people.”

[1] He is the highest religious authority for the Shi’ite denomination in Iraq