The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-06-25
TURKISH MARRIAGE
TO Be S|MPL|F|ED
important Step by the EnIight-
ened Head of the Church
in the Empire.
POLYGAMY NOT GENERAL
IT Is THE EXCEPTION RATHER
THAN THE RULE IN TURKEY
OLD WEDDING CUSTOMS WERE
VERY PECULIAR,
ef7ain.s.
(American News Service)

sEsrsn1Ss
(American News Service)
Constantinople. June pa step
fraught with the greatest Importance
for the future of the Ottoman empire
has just been taken by the enlighten-
ed Sheik-ul-Islam, the religious head Of
the Shah section of the Moslem world.
This reform abolishes the innumerable
complications and restrictions connect
ed with Turkish marriage, and reduces
the ceremony to terms almost Gretna
Green in simplicity.
Western people entertain a mistak-
en- notion that almost every Osmanii
has several wives, that he is at lib
erty to marry as many times as he
likes, and that it is for him just as
easy to divorce a wife as to change an
overcoat. Now, polygamy is the ex-
ception in Turkey and not the rule,
and divorce is much less frequent than
in Christian countries. One cause OF
this is the practice of concubinage
which is permitted by the sacred writ
ings of the Koran. BY far the weigh
tiest reason. however, is the intricate
character, both OF the wedding and Of
the legal separation between husband
and wife.
To begin with. Turk desiring to
marry has to hand over to his brides
parents a sum Of between $50 and
$2,5OO, or even much more. according
to the social position OF the couple. in
order to furnish the nuptial chamber.
He must send his wife a number OF
presents consisting OF bracelets, ear
rings, brooches, rings, ETC., of price
frequently beyond his means. II the
presents are considered by the parents
Interior to thatExpgatensinps they are
Immediately sent back ana the engage
ment declared on.
What Girl Must DO.
The girl has on her part, to defray
all the expenses connected with the
marriage and the frequent receptions
following, which is always costly as
we'll as a snowy business with the Mus
sulman. After the engagement comes
the so-called nikiah, kind of civil
contract. Should her husband subse-
quently intend to send his wife away
or to divorce her, he must pay to her
sum of money decided upon at this
nikith-a sum varying from $50 to
5000 or more. 1t is natural that the
parents should try to fix this sum at
as high a figure as possible, in order
to safeguard their daughter from the
possible caprice and arbitrariness OF
their son-in-law.
Should a Turk be inclined to take d
second wife-the legal number must
never exceed four-he is obliged to
provide for her separate house in
every respect similar to that Of his
first wife, as we'll as an equal number
of servants, slaves and eunuchs. This
is done in order not to excite jealousy.
These difficult and costly conditions
always tended to discourage the reck-
less contracting Of marriages and OF
recent years the scarcity of weddings
has become a serious question. Com
plants have frequently been made be-
fore the authorities, but under the old
regime, nothing radical in the way OF
amendment could be done, as every
attempt at reform was considered to
be a political crime.
The present Sheik-ul-Islam has, how.
ever given the matter his earnest con.
sideration, and has now taken the i'm
portant step indicated above. He felt
that he was so much more entitled tC
do it, as all the restrictions and diff.
| culties are by no means imposed by the
Koran, but are the outcome of ex-
| travagant social pretensions. He abol
| ished by special enactment, which will
soon become the Injunction OF strict
law. all the impositions of expensive
marriage formalities, and reduced the
whole transaction to its simplest form
No More Rich Gifts.
Henceforward there will be no oblig
alton on the part of the Effendi to pay
to the parents of his future wife any
money for the furnishing OF the nup
tial chamber. No costly presents will
have to be sent, no extravagant ex
penses to be met in connection with
any of the marriage festivities The
price of the nikiah as an indemnity II
case of divorce has been fixed a
only s..
/ The Sheik-ul-Islam has. of course
foreseen that parents will raise OBJ
jections to this simplifcation of tn.
marriage rite and will. in conseouence
put obstacles in the way OF wedding
celebrations. He has therefore de
creed that young people who are o
age need not, in order to marry. havs
the consent Of the parents, as that con
sent Is not enjoined by the sacret
writings Of the Sheriat- They havs
merely to apply to the imam or priest
Of their district with the necessar,
witnesses