Beyond Belief

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Beyond Belief: More Than One Wife

More Than One Wife

BBC Radio 4 - Beyond Belief, More Than One Wife

Giles Fraser meets a British Muslim woman in a polygamous marriage.

Giles Fraser meets a British Muslim woman in a polygamous marriage. What does religion, particularly Islam, teach about it and what are the ethical questions it raises?

Giles Fraser meets Hafsa Rizki, a British Muslim women who coaches women in polygamous relationships. Her husband was already married when they met and got married themselves. She doesn't like the term, but she says she is a second wife and tells Giles about why it's a successful relationship, and how it's part of her spiritual journey. 

Perhaps surprisingly, polygamy is 'more commonplace' than might be expected in the UK, according to Dame Louise Casey in her government review on integration and equality in 2016. In a society where the model of monogamy has dominated for centuries, what leads people to enter polygamous marriages? What is it's religious history and what are the ethical and moral questions it raises? Plus, as polyamory is more openly discussed and practiced, is the model of monogamy no longer fit for purpose?

To discuss Giles is joined by Yasmin Rehman, CEO of Juno Women's Aid and a campaigner on women's rights, Imam Waleid Allam and Susannah Cornwall, Professor on Constructive Theologies at the University of Exeter. 

Producer: Rebecca Maxted
Assistant Producer: Linda Walker
Editors: Tim Pemberton and Rajeev Gupta

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