College of Law and Politics at the University of Human Development organised a panel discussion on the issue of taking a second wife as a reason for separation between the first wife and husband, on Tuesday, 11th April 2023.

The panellists were Mr Nu’man Muhammed Almas, Judge Muhammed Mustafa and panel moderator Ms Rawsht Muhammad Amin, all of whom are lecturers at the College of Law and Politics. They discussed the issue from legal and Sharia points of view and answered questions from the audience.

The Kurdistan Region’s jurisprudence allows polygyny, having more than one wife, on the condition that the husband has the consent of his present wife. Otherwise, the wife can ask the court for separation. However, Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court has lately ruled that taking a second wife under no circumstances constitutes a reason for divorce between the first wife and husband. This issue has been heatedly debated ever since the ruling was issued.