Meet the 10-year old couple in Somaliland that got everyone talking over their union

HARGEISA: The youngest Somali couple in recent history were today arraigned at a Hargeisa Court after pictures of them getting married surfaced on the internet Monday evening. The court heard that their parent had consented to the union.

This picture of the “couples” getting married appeared on Facebook Monday night. (courtesy)

The couple have later been confirmed to be 10 years of age. Its reported that the court allowed the young couple to stay in their marriage following confirmation from both families that they were aware of the union.

The issue generated a lot of heated debate in Somaliland with many people arguing that tying the knot and actually acting as a wife and a husband were two distinct realities.

The “bridegroom” helping his innocent-looking “bride” sipping a drink (courtesy)

The other camp, however rubbished the whole issue, saying the couple were too young to shoulder the responsibilites that come with marriage union.
This was how the debate went on in the social media landscape, particularly on Facebook.

Maraade Garane says: “One condition of marriage: the spouse must be mature.”
Aided Madder Muse: “They are mature enough!”
Eid Warsame says: “In our Islamic religion, marriage can only happen when both couples reach their age of puberty; that a person must be capable of sexual reproduction. A couple must presumably be 15yrs, or above. So these kids have are yet to hit 15, therefore I really don’t know what’s happening there.”

Abdisamad haji says: “There is nothing wrong in this marriage. It is action by two consenting children.”

Dubex Senior says: “In Islam, one of the condition for marriage is that both the bride and the bridegroom must have attained physical maturity. How do you expect a small girl to have a baby and breastfeed them?”
Farhiakiin Ismail says: “I guess this is a drama and if not, this is totally child abuse. There is no way toddlers can get married.”

Hamdi Ali says: “This is not right, every human being needs to go through all stages of life: childhood ( no responsibility ) adult and so on.”

Prince Azza de Santoz says: “Am supporting this marriage, if you are against this halal marriage and you want the boyfriend-girlfriend things am sorry better this young couple who will grow together and inshalah have beautiful children in the near future.”

The newly-wed “couple” after they appeared at a court in Hargeisa, Somaliland.

As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen what the the Islamic religious leaders will have to say over the unprecendented union.

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