Russia's main Islamic institution has approved a religious decree allowing Muslim men to practice polygamy, although it is in violation of Russian law that prohibits individuals from engaging in multiple marriages at the same time.
The Council of Islamic Clerics of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia issued a decree on December 18 that allows men to enter into up to four marriages at the same time, as long as all conditions are met.
The Family Code in Russia prohibits an individual from registering a marriage with a person who is already married.
However, the decision seems to have been taken while the Russian authorities are in trouble with the demographic situation and the decrease in the number of the population, also caused by emigration, low birth rate and high mortality.
Although the full decree has not yet been published, reports by Russian news agencies TASS and RIA Novosti have mentioned key points that allow a Muslim man to engage in multiple marriages.
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The decree states that a man can be involved in polygamy if he guarantees equal treatment to all the wives he has. It includes material conditions, separate housing for each woman, and equal time sharing.
If a man does not fulfill these conditions, he is prohibited from engaging in plural marriages, unless the women have some objection.
Among other conditions are mentioned those if the first wife cannot become pregnant for health reasons, or when a man wants to provide social and financial support to more wives.
Russian officials have not yet commented on this decree.
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However, the Russian government has consistently tried to persuade its citizens to have more children, and has promoted policies for larger families.
Even the Russian Orthodox Church has helped the Government in promoting these policies./ REL
