How common are cousin marriages in Pakistan?

1 In Pakistan, half of the population marry a first or second cousin, more than in any other country. 3 In rural areas this can be 80\%, says Hafeez ur Rehman, an anthropologist at the Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad.

Can cousins marry each other in Islam?

Cousin marriage, or “consanguinity” (marriages among couples who are related as second cousins or closer), is allowed and often encouraged throughout the Middle East, and in other Muslim countries worldwide such as Pakistan.

Why do cousins marry in Pakistan?

Pakistan. In Pakistan, cousin marriage is legal and common. Reasons for consanguinity are for economic, religious and cultural reasons. In some areas, higher proportion of first-cousin marriages in Pakistan has been noted to be the cause of an increased rate of blood disorders in the population.

Is cousin marriage legal in Pakistan?

Pakistan. In Pakistan, cousin marriage is legal and common for economic, religious and cultural reasons. Consanguineous marriage in Pakistan was reported to be higher than 60\% of the population in 2014.

Is it legal to marry your second cousin in Pakistan?

Cousin marriage, or ” consanguinity ” (marriages among couples who are related as second cousins or closer), is allowed and often encouraged throughout the Middle East, and in Muslim countries such as Pakistan. As of 2003, an average of 45\% of married couples were related in the Arab world.

Do Pakistani first-cousin marriages lead to disability in children?

Baroness Flather, former Tory who now sits as a cross-bencher, is reported to have said in the House of Lords that it is “absolutely appalling” that first-cousin marriages in Pakistani communities are leading to increased numbers of disability in children.

Is it weird to get married young in Pakistan?

In Pakistan, it’s not weird to get married young. For British Pakistanis, though, it’s happening less. I think most people are focusing on their careers and degrees first. If you’re not from this culture you might not understand why people marry their cousins. Cousin marriage is definitely not a religious thing.

What countries is it illegal to marry your cousin?

In some jurisdictions, cousin marriage is legally prohibited: for example, in China, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea, the Philippines and 24 of 50 states in the United States. The laws of many jurisdictions set out the degree of consanguinity prohibited among sexual relations and marriage parties.