The government discussed the growing trend of Emirati men
marrying foreign women at a meeting yesterday. Here’s what they had to say…
More and more Emiratis are marrying foreigners, so much so
that the UAE’s Federal National Council have formed a special committee to look
into the trend.
At an official meeting yesterday Hamad Al Rahoomi, a member
of the Federal National Council (FNC), said he thinks the trend could “affect
the national identity” in the UAE.
Statistics show that more Emiratis (particularly Emirati
men) have been marrying foreign nationals.
*VIDEO: This Abu Dhabi wedding is full of joy (and outfit
changes)*
Al Rahoomi said that of the 7,401 marriages across the
country in 2014, 2,159 involved citizens marrying expatriate women. The trend
was particularly prevalent in Dubai according to Al Rahoomi.
Hamad Al Rahoomi during yesterday’s FNC meeting. Photo:
Twitter/FNC_UAE
He asked that research be done to find out how many of the
mixed-nationality marriages end in divorce, and what happened to the children
after divorce.
“If Emirati men marry expats, then who will the Emirati
women get married to?” asked Al Rahoomi during his speech.
“I want to ask the Marriage Fund what they are doing about
the growing trend?” he asked. “Are the trends being analysed and are solutions
being found?”
What’s the Marriage Fund, you ask? It grants allowances to
Emirati couples for their weddings and to start their marriage, a part of that
includes marriage counselling.
*MORE FROM THE FNC: Embarrassment over Snapchat block*
As a result of the discussions a committee of 10 FNC members
has now been set up to look into the mixed-nationality marriages.
Ras Al Khaimah council member Mohammed Al Mehrezi mentioned
in the meeting that a study should be conducted on “resolving spinsterhood and
encouraging polygamy”.
“We prefer to call it late marriage,” speaker Dr Amal Al
Qubaisi replied.
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