• Why Jihad Watch?
  • About Robert Spencer and Staff Writers
  • FAQ
  • Books
  • Muhammad
  • Islam 101
  • Privacy

Jihad Watch

Exposing the role that Islamic jihad theology and ideology play in the modern global conflicts

Under scrutiny, Indonesian cleric reconsiders marriage to 12-year-old, but no date set for annulment

Oct 30, 2008 12:01 am By Marisol Seibold

Will he follow through with the annulment? Or will this move simply get the media off his back until the uproar dies down? In any event, this story has yielded one important development: The assertion that, at least for now, Indonesian civil law still trumps sharia law in this area. What remains to be seen is the strength of the political will to keep it that way. An update on this story. “Indonesian cleric reconsiders marriage to minor,” by Yunita Rovroy for Radio Netherlands, October 29:

In Indonesia, the controversial marriage between a Muslim cleric and an underage girl will probably be annulled. Wealthy businessman and Muslim cleric Pujiono Cahyo Widiyanto, aged 43, married 12-year-old Lutfiana Ulfa in August. Lutfania is the daughter of a poor family in the city of Semarang in central Java. The marriage has led to widespread protest.

Seto Mulyadi, chairman of the national children’s rights commission Komnas Perlindungan Anak, feels reassured. He met Widyanto on Tuesday. He believes that the Muslim cleric has understood that his marriage constitutes a violation of the law. Widiyanto, who until now insisted that his marriage was in compliance with Islamic law, has eventually come around. He reportedly intended to conclude two other marriages with girls aged seven and nine.

Mulyadi believes the Indonesian government should take the initiative to create better social conditions for children:

“The government could achieve this in the cities, but also in villages. I hope these measures will better safeguard children’s rights. In addition, children should be better protected against all kinds of forms of violence and abuse.”

Decision welcomed

Mulyadi is pleased with Widiyanto’s decision to have his marriage to Lutfiana annulled. His commission has succeeded in convincing the Muslim cleric that he made a mistake. By admitting his mistake, Widiyanto also acknowledged that national law takes precedence over Islamic Sharia law. Mulyadi hopes Widiyanto’s step will make others realise that marriages with minors cannot be tolerated.

Indonesia’s 1974 Marriage Act forbids marriages involving persons under the age of 16. Nevertheless, marriages to minors are quite common in rural Indonesia.

Even though the marriage will be dissolved, Professor Agnes Widanti of Jaringan Perempuan dan Anak Jawa Tengah (the Central Java Women’s and Children’s Network) speaks of a regrettable and embarrassing case. Widiyanto promised Lutfiana a good job with his company. The marriage was concluded with the consent of both the girl’s parents. Widanti says money and power played an important role.

Physical and psychological problems

Widanti argues that for a minor, a marriage results in both physical and psychological problems. Lutfiana, says Widanti, will eventually feel locked out in society. As a child, she won’t feel at home in the company of adults. And she will always remain the odd-one-out in the company of her peers.

“She will carry a heavy load. She will have to take responsibility for her family at a very young age. From a physical perspective, sexual intercourse with a child under 16 can lead to injuries and an increased risk of contracting a wide variety of diseases. These traumatic events in turn can leave their marks. All in all an extremely worrisome situation.”Azyumardi Azra, an Islamic scholar, is also opposed to marriages involving minors. Even though according to Islam Lutfiana is ready to marry – she had her first period at a young age – in Indonesia national law takes priority over Islamic law.

“This marriage is in violation of the law, in this case, the 1974 Marriage Act puts the minimum legal age at 16. The marriage is also in violation of the international treaty on the rights of the child [which has also been ratified by Indonesia].” Media reports prove there is widespread opposition in Indonesia against marriages with minors, also in Islamic circles. It is not clear exactly when the marriage between Widiyanto and Lutfiana will be annulled.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Follow me on Facebook

Filed Under: Uncategorized


Learn more about RevenueStripe...

FacebookYoutubeTwitterLog in

Subscribe to the Jihad Watch Daily Digest

You will receive a daily mailing containing links to the stories posted at Jihad Watch in the last 24 hours.
Enter your email address to subscribe.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!
If you are forwarding to a friend, please remove the unsubscribe buttons first, as they my accidentally click it.

Subscribe to all Jihad Watch posts

You will receive immediate notification.
Enter your email address to subscribe.
Note: This may be up to 15 emails a day.

Donate to JihadWatch
FrontPage Mag

Search Site

Translate

The Team

Robert Spencer in FrontPageMag
Robert Spencer in PJ Media

Articles at Jihad Watch by
Robert Spencer
Hugh Fitzgerald
Christine Douglass-Williams
Andrew Harrod
Jamie Glazov
Daniel Greenfield

Contact Us

Terror Attacks Since 9/11

Archives

  • 2020
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2019
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2018
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2017
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2016
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2015
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2014
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2013
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2012
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2011
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2010
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2009
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2008
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2007
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2006
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2005
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2004
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2003
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • March

All Categories

You Might Like

Learn more about RevenueStripe...

Recent Comments

  • Mojdeh on Chief Rabbi of UK Says It’s ‘Alarming’ That 44% of Muslims Are Anti-Semitic
  • Michael Copeland on New study reveals that Muslim religiosity strongly linked to hatred towards the West
  • Michael Copeland on New study reveals that Muslim religiosity strongly linked to hatred towards the West
  • Westman on New study reveals that Muslim religiosity strongly linked to hatred towards the West
  • gravenimage on Erdogan: ‘Turks must defend the rights of Jerusalem, even with their lives’ for ‘the honor of the Islamic nation’

Popular Categories

dhimmitude Sharia Jihad in the U.S ISIS / Islamic State / ISIL Iran Free Speech

Robert Spencer FaceBook Page

Robert Spencer Twitter

Robert Spencer twitter

Robert Spencer YouTube Channel

Books by Robert Spencer

Jihad Watch® is a registered trademark of Robert Spencer in the United States and/or other countries - Site Developed and Managed by Free Speech Defense

Content copyright Jihad Watch, Jihad Watch claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to their respective owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and you do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

Our mailing address is: David Horowitz Freedom Center, P.O. Box 55089, Sherman Oaks, CA 91499-1964

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.