Malaysian with 3 wives, 18 children seeks court's permission to take a 4th spouse

Fri, May 16 10:08 AM

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) _ A Malaysian with three wives and 18 children has asked an Islamic court to let him marry again with the blessing of all his spouses. Mohamed Nor Awang, aged 51, filed a petition to take another wife in the Shariah High Court in eastern Terengganu state, a court employee said Friday.

His three wives told the court Thursday they support Mohamed Nor's decision, the court worker said on condition of anonymity, citing protocol. Mohamed Nor's first wife, Wan Rukiah Mat Yusof, aged 52, was quoted by The Star newspaper saying he could "go ahead, I have no problems.

" "We all could live blissfully under one roof," his third wife, 40-year-old Noraini Daud, was reported as saying by The Star. Judge Sheikh Ahmad Ismail Hakim told Mohamed Nor to return to court Sunday with bank account statements to show he can financially support another spouse, the court worker said.

He is also expected to bring his prospective fourth wife, who is 35 years old. Mohamed Nor informed the court he is a menial worker who earns about 1,500 ringgit (US$460; 300) a month, according to the court employee.

The Shariah Court makes rulings on personal, family and religious issues for Muslims, who comprise nearly 60 percent of Malaysia's 27 million people. Muslim men are permitted to take up to four wives in Malaysia if the Shariah court believes they can provide financial and emotional care for all their spouses and children.

But it is uncommon for Malaysian men to take more than one or two wives.

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