Muslim divorces hit all-time high in Malaysia
May 27, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 Muslim couples get divorced every 15 minutes in Malaysia, a startling number that has the government worried, the Singapore Straits Times reported today.The latest statistics from the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) showed there were 27,116 divorces in 2009, up from 17,749 in 2005.The paper said divorce rates among Muslims are now at an all-time high, making up about 82 per cent of total divorces in Malaysia, though Malay Muslims comprise 60 per cent of the population.
Divorce cases among well-known Malays often make headlines. Last year, popular actress Maya Karin (picture) announced she and her British husband Steven Shorthose were divorcing after just two years. Earlier this month, Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib, son of Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, divorced his wife of 19 years, Shahnaz Majid, due to irreconcilable differences. Shahnaz is seeking an eye-popping RM400 million in the divorce.Jakim said irreconcilable differences which it defined as disrespectful towards spouse, communication problems, selfishness, laziness, unwilling to help and psychological issues were one of the top factors for Muslim divorces.The department provided a laundry list of other reasons including irresponsible spouses, health, sexual, social and financial problems, third-party interference, religious background and cultural differences.However, it did not break out polygamy as a factor Muslim men are allowed four wives though such issues could fall under third-party interference or irresponsible spouses.The Straits Times also reported that the government blames the rising divorce rate on neglect of Islamic teachings. If they cant even perform their five daily prayers, imagine how hard it is for them to carry out their duties and roles as husband and wife, it quoted Datuk Mashitah Ibrahim, deputy minister in the Prime Ministers Depar! tment, a s saying last month.Those who have gone through divorce, however, blame the breakdown of their marriages on the strains of modern life.There isnt any effective communication between spouses, especially when both are working and have children, it quoted a 40-year-old advertising director, who is divorcing her unfaithful husband after 15 years of marriage, as saying. They are busy with their own lives and their childrens lives.A 37-year-old business planning manager said his wife asked for a divorce after nine years because he was too busy with work. They also found it tough to live in Kuala Lumpur on his RM5,000 monthly salary, the Straits Times reported him as saying.The newspaper also said younger couples appear at greater risk of divorce. In 2009, the most recent numbers available, separations were common among couples aged between 25 and 30 in Terengganu. The reasons they gave included body odour, humdrum sex and boring sleepwear.It reported syariah lawyer Halimatunsadiah Abu Ahmad as saying that many couples, particularly younger ones, do not understand each others obligations. They are spoon-fed and expect to be rewarded all the time, she said. They expect people to do everything for them.The Facebook social networking site is a common cause of break-ups, she noted: For every five divorce cases I see, two or three will have been caused by Facebook. That is where they rekindle their old relationships with their first girlfriend or boyfriend, the newspaper quoted her as saying.The Straits Times said Jakim is planning a campaign to create more awareness on the roles of spouses, parenting skills, family education and how to handle finances. Troubled couples may also seek counselling from state religious departments. Muslim couples already go through three-day pre-marriage courses.But some feel the new campaign will not do much. The 40-year-old art director said: Any initiative by the government in the form of education has many advantages. But I dont think it has anything to do with re! ligion o r faith per se. Its a society problem.
Divorce cases among well-known Malays often make headlines. Last year, popular actress Maya Karin (picture) announced she and her British husband Steven Shorthose were divorcing after just two years. Earlier this month, Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib, son of Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, divorced his wife of 19 years, Shahnaz Majid, due to irreconcilable differences. Shahnaz is seeking an eye-popping RM400 million in the divorce.Jakim said irreconcilable differences which it defined as disrespectful towards spouse, communication problems, selfishness, laziness, unwilling to help and psychological issues were one of the top factors for Muslim divorces.The department provided a laundry list of other reasons including irresponsible spouses, health, sexual, social and financial problems, third-party interference, religious background and cultural differences.However, it did not break out polygamy as a factor Muslim men are allowed four wives though such issues could fall under third-party interference or irresponsible spouses.The Straits Times also reported that the government blames the rising divorce rate on neglect of Islamic teachings. If they cant even perform their five daily prayers, imagine how hard it is for them to carry out their duties and roles as husband and wife, it quoted Datuk Mashitah Ibrahim, deputy minister in the Prime Ministers Depar! tment, a s saying last month.Those who have gone through divorce, however, blame the breakdown of their marriages on the strains of modern life.There isnt any effective communication between spouses, especially when both are working and have children, it quoted a 40-year-old advertising director, who is divorcing her unfaithful husband after 15 years of marriage, as saying. They are busy with their own lives and their childrens lives.A 37-year-old business planning manager said his wife asked for a divorce after nine years because he was too busy with work. They also found it tough to live in Kuala Lumpur on his RM5,000 monthly salary, the Straits Times reported him as saying.The newspaper also said younger couples appear at greater risk of divorce. In 2009, the most recent numbers available, separations were common among couples aged between 25 and 30 in Terengganu. The reasons they gave included body odour, humdrum sex and boring sleepwear.It reported syariah lawyer Halimatunsadiah Abu Ahmad as saying that many couples, particularly younger ones, do not understand each others obligations. They are spoon-fed and expect to be rewarded all the time, she said. They expect people to do everything for them.The Facebook social networking site is a common cause of break-ups, she noted: For every five divorce cases I see, two or three will have been caused by Facebook. That is where they rekindle their old relationships with their first girlfriend or boyfriend, the newspaper quoted her as saying.The Straits Times said Jakim is planning a campaign to create more awareness on the roles of spouses, parenting skills, family education and how to handle finances. Troubled couples may also seek counselling from state religious departments. Muslim couples already go through three-day pre-marriage courses.But some feel the new campaign will not do much. The 40-year-old art director said: Any initiative by the government in the form of education has many advantages. But I dont think it has anything to do with re! ligion o r faith per se. Its a society problem. 
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