Source: CIA World Factbook 2006

Marriage Age: There is no legal minimum age to marry; however, the government will not notarize or register a marriage until a female is 15 and a male 17.

Polygamy: Polygamy is permitted but may be restricted in the marriage contract.

Marriage Guardianship: Officially, a marriage contract is concluded when a groom accepts an offer made by a woman’s “wali” (legal guardian). A woman who has been previously married or at least 25 years old has “freedom of choice” in marriage, but her marriage contract must still be concluded by her “wali.”

Divorce: Both spouses may seek divorce or annulment on a number of specified grounds.

Child Custody: A divorced mother has custody of her sons until puberty and of her daughters until marriage.

Sources: Islamic Family Law, special project of Emory Law School; Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and Rand Corporation