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By David Jagger @davejagger Digital Audience and Content Editor
Existing legislation states the prohibited degrees of relationship for marriage include those to a sibling, parent or child (PA)
A Blackburn religious organisation has hit out at a Bill aiming to ban cousin marriages due to be heard again in Parliament later this month.
Conservative backbencher Richard Holden, who grew up in Grindleton and is MP for Basildon and Billericay, has proposed the Marriage (Prohibited Degrees of Relationship) Bill, which is due for a second reading on January 17.
The Bill seeks to make first-cousin marriages illegal. Introducing the Bill, Mr Holden said: “Cousin marriage was at one time biologically beneficial for the survival of mankind when times were especially hard and inhospitable.
“However, this does not carry forward into modern living conditions in our post-industrial age, where genetic and degenerative diseases are among the most severe threats to public health.”
He cited research which states children born have “double the risk of inheriting a serious disorder which requires lifelong treatment and can lead to premature death” and the risk is “compounded and intensified with every generation” when parents come from families with a history of cousin marriage.
He also said it impacts women’s freedom and rights, its ban could help break down barriers between cultures.
However, the Blackburn Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has objected to Mr Holden’s proposal and said it is “unnecessary and damaging”.
It also said the Bill is an “overreach and unnecessary interference in the freedom of choice in a democracy where religious freedom is valued”.
It said first-cousin marriages provide families with support and stability and to ban them would impact social harmony and children’s development.
Amir Ahmad, president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Blackburn said: “If research or data suggests there is any heightened health risk associated with the children of consanguineous marriages, it is similarly proven that other factors, such as consumption of alcohol, smoking or otherwise unhealthy lifestyles, can have very adverse effects.
“Thus, if the objective is to prevent an elevated risk to children, it follows that alcohol and smoking should also be legally prescribed for those who wish to have children.
“If legal limits are limited to ‘cousin marriage’, it would not be a stretch to suggest that this is another attempt to demonise or label the Muslim community as ‘backward’.
“The way ‘cousin marriage’ is portrayed in the media often gives rise to the impression that any consanguineous marriage must be a ‘forced’ marriage arranged by family elders without the consent of the bride and groom.
“Islam does not permit forced marriage to any degree. Rather, the verses of the Quran recited during the marriage ceremony require both parties to be entirely truthful and disclose any information relevant to the other party’s consent.
“Thus, in Islam, informed consent is categorically necessary on both sides. If this is not the case, then it violates Islamic teachings and is to be condemned.”
The Bill, presented to the House on December 10, is due for a second reading to be debated on January 17, where MPs will vote on whether it progresses to the committee stage.
Additional reading
Cousin Marriage – Why? – Why Not?
First Cousin Marriages in Pakistani families Leading To Disabilities among Children
Cousin Marriages: A Fair and Balanced View
Categories: Ahmadis, Ahmadiyyat: True Islam, Europe, Marriage, Sharia Law, Shariah Law, UK, Utilitarian value
If genetic disorders are being used as a reason for banning first cousin marriages, using the same logic, marriage of Ashkenazi Jews should be banned.