The dark side of Shiite Islam in Iraq: Temporary marriages lead to a sharp rise in divorce rates, and this time it's not terrorism
The article presents a socio-religious phenomenon in Iraq: temporary marriage (Nikah al-Mut'ah) in Shia Islam, which, according to the report, leads to an increase in divorce rates and severe harm to young women. The article quotes a sociology expert from the University of Baghdad, stating that since 2021, the number of divorcing couples per month has not dropped below 6,000. It further claims that most women in these marriages are aged 14-18, and that this is a phenomenon of economic exploitation under the guise of religion.
The article describes a socio-religious phenomenon in Iraq: temporary marriage (Nikah al-Mut'ah) in Shia Islam, which, according to the report, leads to a sharp increase in divorce rates and severe harm to young women. According to a sociology expert from the University of Baghdad, since 2021, the number of divorcing couples in Iraq each month has not dropped below 6,000 – over 8 couples per hour. The article cites a joint report by PBS and the BBC from early 2026, stating that most women in temporary marriages are young, aged 14-18, and marry for economic reasons. It further claims this is a form of quiet pimping under the guise of Muslim religion. The article notes that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is trying to convey to President Trump aspirations for a new, more Western Iraq, but according to the report, this dark phenomenon continues under his nose.