Turkey's Directorate of Religious Affairs, or Diyanet, which reminded with a fatwa that girls who have reached puberty are allowed to marry and give birth according to Islam, has been harshly criticised.
Diyanet states that the minimum age of puberty is 9 in girls, and 12 in boys. "Girls could become pregnant at the age of 9, and boys could become a father when they turned 12," Diyanet says. "While adolescent girls are married, it is more appropriate for them to receive support from their parents, but it is not a necessity", according to the fatwa.
Moreover, the Diyanet claimed that marriage protects the individual from 'fornication' and provides continuance of the human race.
Saying that "if a person is in danger of fornication, his/her marriage is a religious obligatory Diyanet suggested that girls, who have reached puberty, can marry, stating: "The marriage must be performed in the presence of two witnesses with a declaration of will of the parties."
Diyanet, which is a state institution affiliated to the Prime-ministry, has found the authority to interfere every sphere of life and regulate many fields due to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP)’s Islamization policies.
In 2016, AKP deputies had tried to introduce a law enacting that if a girl, who suffered from sexual abuse, is married up with her rapist, the rape would not be considered a crime. The Turkish government had to withdraw the relevant draft law after severe criticisms.
