Marriage a distant dream for many in Iraq’s Mosul
‘I haven’t found a husband or a job — my life consists of household chores’
Khulud yearns to be swept away by a “prince charming”, but like many young Iraqis in the former militant stronghold of Mosul she worries she may never marry.
“I haven’t found a husband or a job — my life consists of household chores,” says the 24-year-old university graduate, who feels increasingly trapped in her parents’ home.
“My older sister, who is 37, already has four children ... I still perhaps have a chance to find a husband, but my 29-year-old sister has much less hope,” Khulud adds with a sad smile.
Before Daesh made Mosul its self-proclaimed capital in mid2014, Iraq’s second city was a bastion of traditionalism and conservatism. It was rare for women to hit their 20s before marrying or being engaged.
Back in government hands since July 2017, the city is still scarred by nine months of brutal combat. And the wait for young people to seal their nuptials is getting longer and longer. Suitors are finding it increasingly hard to save enough cash to fund a dowry and a wedding, never mind set up home with a spouse.
Mumen Abdullah also dreams of marriage. “I have a degree in economics, but this hasn’t helped me realise my dream,” says the 38-year-old.
Manaf Khalid, a 32-year-old social worker, says a woman’s marriage prospects can depend on her employment.
Some couples are even relying on charity. At a function room in Mosul, hundreds of people — the guests from 10 wedding parties — tuck into a communal meal.
Mohammad Sami, a 27-yearold blacksmith who is among the grooms, says he is just happy to be here, despite not being able to afford a suit for himself or a wedding dress for his wife.
In a bid to unblock the bottleneck, lawmaker Jamila Al Obaidi has been pushing a novel proposal in Iraq’s parliament.
She wants the government “to provide five million dinars ($4,000, Dh14,690) to every man wishing to marry, then a million dinars for each child born,” she tells AFP.
But there are strings attached. “The proposed wife must be older than the ‘normal’ marriage age, divorced, or a war widow,” she says.
While the initiative has gained the support of 70 lawmakers, it hasn’t been adopted by the government.
My older sister, who is 37, already has four children ... and I still perhaps have a chance to find a husband, but my 29-year-old sister has much less hope.”
Khulud | 24-year-old graduate