Left, Muhammad Sarwar is petitioning the government to allow his wife Khanam Razia, right, to accompany him in Korea. The family visa is rejected because of the family relationship that existed prior to their marriage. / Korea Times

Consanguineous Unions: Legal vs. Moral Outlook

By Deb Quezon
Associate Editor

Separation of church and state seems to adopt a whole new meaning for Muhammad Sarwar and his wife, Khanam Razia, whose marriage is religiously sanctioned, but not legally binding.

Razia is not permitted to accompany Sarwar in Korea, because prior to their marriage their relationship was first-cousin _ a transition in kinship upheld by the Islamic and national laws in their native country Pakistan, but unsupported by Korean law.

``Even with a marriage certificate from my country, my wife cannot join me in Korea because the marriage is illegal according to Korean law,’’ Sarwar says.

Sarwar and Razia were married in Bhurgara, Pakistan, March 6, 2005, during a ceremony before 5,000 guests. Since, the couple has been through the many highs and lows that are innate to marriage.

``My son died when he was six months old (gestational),’’ he says. ``It was very hard for us.’’

Razia is Sarwar’s father’s eldest sister’s daughter _ which means she is his first-generation paternal cousin. In some cultures, generally Middle East, this is an age-old custom that does not raise a social brow.

However amidst other cultures, primarily nations in the West, endogamous marriages are unacceptable, as they are considered genetically hazardous for potential offspring. Ironically, the West has its history weaved in the practice of first-cousin marriages, specifically British royalty in days of old.

Charles Darwin, renowned evolutionist, married his mother’s brother’s daughter, Emma Wedgwood. Also, first-cousin unions were not uncommon to other ethnic societies, such as Jews and Shiite Muslims in Lebanon.

Sarwar says he eagerly awaits assistance from the leaders of his mosque at the Korea Muslim Federation, Amnesty International, lawyers, the Pakistani Embassy, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea and the Investor Support Center.

``The lawyers said it is a human rights issue and is not legal; the Investor Support Center says there is nothing they can do, I have not heard back from anyone at the mosque, and a consulate at the embassy is in the same situation as I am,’’ says Sarwar. ``The only one who is active in trying to solve this for me is the Human Rights Commission. They stay in touch with me every day.’’

debquezon@koreatimes.co.kr