Early marriage proposed

Early marriage proposed

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): A prominent opposition Moslem leader has
proposed "early marriage" and a reduced dowry to curb promiscuity
and negative socializing which Islam forbids, a newspaper
reported yesterday.

"It's my hope that youths settle down early to avoid
aspersions being cast at them ... and that parents lower the
dowries for their daughters," said Nik Abdul Aziz, leader of the
fundamentalist Moslem Parti Islam (PAS).

High dowries and costly wedding arrangements were a barrier to
early marriage and added to the financial burden facing young
couples, The Star newspaper quoted him as saying.