By Ili Liyana Mokhtar
news@nst.com.my
PUTRAJAYA: The number of young Muslim couples divorcing over trivialities is increasing and this worries the Islamic Development Department (Jakim).
Jakim family development director Ghafani Awang Teh said most of the couples cited "ridiculous" reasons as grounds for their divorce, such as forgetting to buy food and forgetting to add sugar in their spouse's drink.
Ghafani said the couples, some undergoing marriage counselling, told him they wanted a divorce because their partners forgot their birthdays or wedding anniversaries.
"I think it's the affliction of modern times, where everything can be found at the blink of an eye, that young couples see divorce as an easy way out without even wanting to try to work out their problems first," he told the New Straits Times yesterday.
He cited the case of a young woman who wanted a divorce after only three days of marriage as her husband had forgotten to buy the food she had asked for.
A study by Jakim revealed that 40 per cent of divorce cases in the last 10 years among Muslim couples were due to "irreconcilable differences".
Ghafani said the couples, some undergoing marriage counselling, told him they wanted a divorce because their partners forgot their birthdays or wedding anniversaries.
"I think it's the affliction of modern times, where everything can be found at the blink of an eye, that young couples see divorce as an easy way out without even wanting to try to work out their problems first," he told the New Straits Times yesterday.
He cited the case of a young woman who wanted a divorce after only three days of marriage as her husband had forgotten to buy the food she had asked for.
A study by Jakim revealed that 40 per cent of divorce cases in the last 10 years among Muslim couples were due to "irreconcilable differences".
Other contributing factors were financial constraints, spouses being irresponsible, polygamy, drug abuse and extra-marital affairs.
The number of divorce cases since 2007 has been increasing by as much as three per cent every year.
A study shows that most married couples went their separate ways after being together for just five years.
"The statistics are pretty worrying. It seems that young couples no longer place importance on the sanctity of the family institution. In the last 10 years, 180,172 divorce cases have been reported."
Ghafani said his officers received an average of five text messages a day from troubled couples, complaining about their spouse's behaviour and others.
"It is really saddening how couples, some of whom have only been married for months or even weeks, want to end their marriages for reasons that are ridiculous and trivial.
"They do not look at marriage seriously and do not know how to treat the relationship and their partners."
Jakim has carried out various activities to strengthen the family institution, including seminars, forums, conferences and workshops.
"Last year, we conducted sessions attended by 19,250 people," he said, adding that the department also published pamphlets and brochures on marriage-related topics for the public.
The number of divorce cases since 2007 has been increasing by as much as three per cent every year.
A study shows that most married couples went their separate ways after being together for just five years.
"The statistics are pretty worrying. It seems that young couples no longer place importance on the sanctity of the family institution. In the last 10 years, 180,172 divorce cases have been reported."
Ghafani said his officers received an average of five text messages a day from troubled couples, complaining about their spouse's behaviour and others.
"It is really saddening how couples, some of whom have only been married for months or even weeks, want to end their marriages for reasons that are ridiculous and trivial.
"They do not look at marriage seriously and do not know how to treat the relationship and their partners."
Jakim has carried out various activities to strengthen the family institution, including seminars, forums, conferences and workshops.
"Last year, we conducted sessions attended by 19,250 people," he said, adding that the department also published pamphlets and brochures on marriage-related topics for the public.
He said couples facing problems in their marriage could send letters or emails to the family development division.
"They can also arrange for a meeting with any one of our marriage counsellors."
Besides Jakim, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry also views the high number of divorce cases among young Muslim couples seriously.
It said in a statement that from 2006, the ministry, through the Malaysia National Population and Family Development Board had implemented the SMARTSTART pre-marriage course for newly-weds and those who had been married for less than five years.
As of September last year, 243 programmes had been conducted for 8,084 people.
Besides Jakim, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry also views the high number of divorce cases among young Muslim couples seriously.
It said in a statement that from 2006, the ministry, through the Malaysia National Population and Family Development Board had implemented the SMARTSTART pre-marriage course for newly-weds and those who had been married for less than five years.
As of September last year, 243 programmes had been conducted for 8,084 people.
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