Afghan President Backtracks on Law Legalizing Rape in Marriage

KABUL - Responding to criticism from around the world, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Saturday that a new law that critics say makes it legal for men to rape their wives will be studied and possibly sent back to parliament for review.

Karzai said he ordered the Justice Ministry to review the law, and if anything in it contravenes the country's constitution or Shariah law, "measures will be taken."

The law, signed by Karzai last month, is intended to regulate family life inside Afghanistan's Shiite community, which makes up 10 percent to 20 percent of the country's 30 million people.

But the United Nations Development Fund for Women has said the law "legalizes the rape of a wife by her husband."

The United States has urged Karzai to review the law, and Karzai said he has spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton about it. Canadian officials have also criticized the legislation.

One of the law's most controversial articles legislates the frequency of sexual relations between Shiite husbands and wives. Article 132 says the husband has a right to sex every fourth night unless the wife is ill. Read more ...

Source: AP

Should there be a minimum age for marriage?
	I am a Muslim
	No, setting minimum age for marriage is against Sharia
	Yes, Sharia should be ignored (at least in this case)
	I am not a Muslim
	No, every culture should have its own rules
	Yes, pedophilia must not be justified by religion or tradition