Colorado Technical University

please help me with the following case.thanks.?

In 1993, a 14-year-old girl, Emman Al-Smadi and her father, respresenting her because of her age, applied to the court for permission for the girl to marry a 27-year-old Jordanian student, Ra'a Ahmed Said; both were practising Muslim. At the time of the application, Said was a doctoral student in electrical engineering at the University of Manitoba, hoping to obtain his degree in 1994. Evidence was presented to show that it is a belief of the Islamic faith that a girl, having reached puberty, may marry if she wishes, with her father's consent. Emman assumed a major role in cooking, cleaning, and caring for her younger sister as her parents were divorced, and custody of the two girls had been awarded to her father. She also confirmed her consent to the proposed marriage and stated that she was doing so freely and of her own choosing. As well, her father consented to the proposed marriage. The Director of Child and Family Services opposed the application as it was not in the best interest of the child to marry under the age of 16 simply because of parental, cultural, or religious consent. The Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench dismissed the application. However, several months later, a second application, on the same grounds as the first, was brought to court with the additional ground that the now 15-year-old girl was pregnant with Said's child. This time the court consented to the marriage. 1) what sorts of concerns might the judge have had in considering this application? 2) In the initial trial judgment, the judge states:" The rights of all people are recognized and carefully protected. Nevertheless, certain basic values now exist that are the product of hundreds of years of development....to protect all citizens. From time to time they may conflict with specific religious, moral, or cultural practices and beliefs... and any such conflict bust be resolved in favour of the general public interest." Do you agree or disagree with this statement.Explain.

Public Comments

1. In this country the law is set by a vote of the people and or a vote from the governing bodies. Your religious affiliation will not override the law. Church and State are separate and you should thank your lucky star for that.
2. Definitely disagree. If this would have been not related to religion, the 27 year old would have been brought up on charges for having sex with minor or worse.