Health Cabinet Secretary Shares Reasons for Avoiding Expensive Weddings
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has made headlines after sharing his reasons for no longer attending expensive weddings, particularly in the Muslim community. In a video that has sparked widespread discussion, he highlighted concerns about the excessive financial demands associated with these events and called for greater transparency in the process.
Duale explained that some individuals are using weddings as a means to extort others, often demanding large sums of money or valuable items like gold. He emphasized the need for full disclosure when it comes to gifts or dowries, which he believes should be made public during the Nikkah ceremony.
Why is Aden Duale Not Attending Weddings?
During a recent event, Duale shared stories that left the audience both entertained and reflective. He expressed his discomfort with the growing trend of extravagant weddings, where the amount of the mehr (dowry) can reach staggering figures. For example, he mentioned cases where the mehr was set at $30,000 (KSh 3.8 million) or even $50,000 (KSh 6.5 million), accompanied by three kilos of gold.
“Talking about such amounts doesn’t build a family; it’s not a marriage. It’s more like a business deal,” he said. “The Nikkah is a public function, and those who attend should have full transparency and accountability regarding what was agreed upon.”
Duale also recounted an uncomfortable experience at a wedding where he was asked to be a witness but was not given any details about the dowry being offered. He felt it was unfair to be involved in such a significant decision without knowing the terms.
“If the man doesn’t give the lady her mehr, and we don’t know, then please help us. I attended one last week, and it was very uncomfortable. We were called as witnesses, but we weren’t given full disclosure,” he added.
Public Reactions to Duale’s Comments
Social media users responded to Duale’s comments with a mix of support and criticism. Some praised his call for transparency, while others questioned his perspective on the role of a wife and mother in the community.
- @Ayan Ahmedsaid: “He thinks being a wife and a mother is easy, especially in our community. If you are a billionaire, it is nothing.”
- @Maalim Abdicommented: “Mnaleta siasa hadi kwa mambo ya Mungu. Mahari ni ya bibi na bwana.”
- @Pedro Polokanwrote: “Mlisema more than $5000 ni scam.”
- @Minnaasked: “Let us be real, nani anapewa hii mehr?”
- @Hon Nurkeynoted: “They are not following the Islamic teachings. Why say that, because after divorce, they are not giving that maher to the lady. That is what makes it easy for a guy to say three kilos of gold.”
- @Hussein Guysaid: “For the first time, I agree with you. It is a scam, let people pay what the Sheikh said.”
Azeezah Hashim and the Conditions of Being a Second Wife
In a separate report, media personality Azeezah Hashim opened up about the conditions she would accept if she were to be married as a second wife under Islamic law. She emphasized that the man and his first wife must approach her father to request her hand in marriage and pay the dowry.
This statement came after she encouraged men interested in her to submit their applications, expressing her readiness to get married. Her comments have generated further discussion about the expectations and responsibilities of being a second wife in the context of Islamic teachings.
Conclusion
Aden Duale’s comments have sparked a broader conversation about the role of weddings in the community, the importance of transparency, and the need to align cultural practices with ethical values. Whether one agrees or disagrees with his stance, his message highlights the ongoing debate around tradition, finance, and personal choice in modern society.
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