Public Funding of Marriage Legitimate Under Shariah — Gumi

Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has defended the allocation of public funds to support marriages in states governed by Shariah law, describing the practice as a legitimate aspect of responsible governance.

In a statement shared on Facebook on Thursday, Gumi argued that governments operating under Shariah have a duty to assist citizens in marriage, given that prostitution, fornication, adultery, and promiscuity are prohibited by both religious and state laws.

“In a Shariah law-driven state, where prostitution, fornication, adultery, and promiscuity are prohibited by both divine and state laws, using public funds to facilitate the marriage of women who are in excess of the available pool of eligible men, or of any young person in dire need of marriage, is a legitimate and responsible component of good governance,” he said.

His comments followed the Kano State Government’s recent mass wedding of 1,500 couples under its Auren Gata initiative, organized by the Hisbah Board.

The programme is designed to ease the financial burden of marriage for vulnerable couples, while providing economic and household support to help them begin family life.

The mass wedding, held last Friday, has sparked widespread debate over the appropriateness of using public resources to fund marriage programmes.

Supporters argue it helps reduce social vices and strengthens family structures, while critics question whether such spending should take priority over other pressing needs.

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