RAMALLAH, April 25 (JMCC) - Palestinian Islamic courts must now notify a first wife and the wife-to-be if a man is practicing polygamy, ordered the head of the court system on Sunday.
The new rule was seen as a victory for women, who under the old system sometimes found themselves unknowingly in a polygamous marriage,
reports Gulf News.
According to the circular which was effective immediately and distributed to the various Sharia courts in the Palestinian Territories, the courts should not and cannot conduct marriages without informing the first wife. Also the to-be-wife should be informed that her husband is married.
The ruling comes after growing complaints from women demanding more rights in the instance of marriage laws.
Women's Rights Activist, Heba Al Jeetawi praised the ruling. Many women only find out by chance that their husbands are remarrying, she said. Also women are lied to when they agree to marriage and find out the man already has a wife and children.
Polygamy is legal in the occupied Palestinian territories, but not widely practiced.