Controversy in Egypt Over Marriage of a Person with Down Syndrome
June 10, 2025, 3:15 pm

Controversy in Egypt Over Marriage of a Person with Down Syndrome

فيديو يرصد زفاف شاب مصاب بمتلازمة داون ودموع زوجته

In recent hours, Egypt has witnessed widespread debate following the circulation of a video showing a wedding ceremony of a groom with Down syndrome, in which the bride appeared crying. The video sparked numerous discussions across social media platforms.

Many people rejected this marriage, especially since the bride seemed sad, while others supported it, considering it her right. Commentators questioned the mental and legal capacity of the groom to enter into the marriage contract, suggesting that his health condition might affect the validity of the marriage under Sharī‘ah and law.

Some questioned whether an individual with Down syndrome is capable of understanding and responsibility, asking: "How can a person who cannot discriminate sufficiently to bear the responsibilities of marriage get married?" Others expressed concerns about the potential genetic risks of having children with the syndrome.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian Dar al-Ifta issued a statement regarding the ruling on the marriage of a person with Down syndrome, affirming that “a mentally disabled person has the right to marry if the conditions of marriage are met and if there are those who care about his interests and work to support him.” It clarified that “disability does not prevent marriage due to fear of having children with disabilities, because marriage and childbirth are separate matters; each case should be referred to specialists to determine the possibility or postponement of childbirth.”

Dar al-Ifta emphasized that “the actions of those managing the affairs of the disabled should be based on what is in their best interest, so if marriage is deemed beneficial, it should be pursued.”

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”