Polygamy in Turkey

Turkey is a predominantly Muslim nation that has abolished polygamy, which was officially criminalized with the adoption of the Turkish Civil Code in 1926, a milestone in Atatürk's secularist reforms. Penalties for illegal polygamy are up to 2 years imprisonment.^[1] Turkey has long been known for its promotion of secularism^[2][3][4] and later introduced even stricter bars on polygamy. Even the ruling moderate AK Parti effectively banned polygamists from entering or living in the country.^[5]

Postcard of a Turkish Romani man with his wives and children, in front of their tent in Smyrna (today İzmir) in 1903

Although illegal polygamy is very rare in Turkish society, the practice still exists in the Kurdish populated South East, however this statement has not been proved in any way.^[6][7]

References

1. Turkish Penal Code, Art. 230
2. Landau, Jacob M. "Turkey Between Secularism and Islamism". www.jcpa.org. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
3. "Turkey's secularism 'threatened'". BBC. 13 April 2007. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
4. Modernity, Islam, and secularism in Turkey By Alev Çinar
5. "polygamy411.com - polygamy411 Resources and Information". ww1.polygamy411.com. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
6. Bilefsky, Dan (10 July 2006). "Polygamy Fosters Culture Clashes (and Regrets) in Turkey". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
7. "The hidden wives of Turkey". BBC. 30 August 2005. Retrieved 16 August 2010.

See also

• Turkish women
• Secularism in Turkey
• Women in Turkish politics
• Religion in Turkey