Pakistani cleric criticised on social media for statement in favour of child marriage

Pakistani Islamic preacher Mufti Tariq Masood has sparked intense controversy by making a statement in favour of child marriage. According to a report by Daily Mirror Sri Lanka, an influential Deobandi cleric presented arguments for child marriage in a viral video, leading to heavy criticism on social media.

As per a report by ABP News, Mufti Tariq Masood jokingly said that if a person cannot find a 16-year-old bride, they can marry two 8-year-old girls or four 4-year-old girls. As soon as this statement surfaced, social media users reacted sharply in the comment section of his video. People rebuked the cleric, stating that he is presenting child marriage as a very normal matter and attempting to normalise the sexualisation of minors.

However, amidst this controversy, the cleric's supporters also presented their side. Supporters dismissed the statement, calling it a mere misunderstanding and presenting it as a joke made without any specific reason.

Mufti Tariq Masood has been continuously active against legal regulations regarding child marriage. He has been opposing laws that set a minimum legal age for marriage. His argument is that Islamic law does not prescribe a universal minimum age of 18 for marriage. According to Masood, the decision of when and at what age a girl should be married should be taken by the girl's parents or guardians at their own discretion.

He has repeatedly emphasised in his sermons that instead of age, focus should be placed on a girl's physical development and maturity to determine whether she is fully ready for marriage. Additionally, he has also discussed the physical suitability of 9 and 10-year-old girls for marriage.

According to the report by Daily Mirror Sri Lanka, this influential Deobandi cleric in Pakistan has made several such remarks on this subject previously. Due to these statements by Mufti Tariq Masood, he is currently facing heavy ridicule on social media and has come under fire.