Yes, cousin marriage is legal in Egypt, but subject to Islamic inheritance and family law restrictions enforced by local courts and Al-Azhar’s Fatwa Council. The state recognizes such unions under the Personal Status Law No. 100 of 1985, provided no Sharia-based prohibitions apply, such as fosterage ties or concurrent marriages violating polygamy limits.
Key Regulations for Cousin Marriage in Egypt
- Sharia Compliance: Marriage between first cousins is permitted under Hanafi jurisprudence, but courts may reject applications if either party has a mahram (unmarriageable kin) relationship or prior fosterage ties under Article 11 of Law No. 100/1985.
- Polygamy Restrictions: A man may not marry a cousin if he already has four wives, as per Article 11bis introduced in 2020 amendments to curb polygamy abuses.
- Judicial Discretion: Family courts in Cairo and Alexandria require mandatory pre-marital medical certificates (Law No. 143/2021) to screen for genetic disorders prevalent in consanguineous unions, with refusal grounds tied to public health directives.
Enforcement falls under the Ministry of Justice’s Wakalat al-Ahwal al-Shakhsiyya (Personal Status Agency), which cross-references applications with Al-Azhar’s Dar al-Ifta for fatwa validation. Non-compliance risks annulment or criminal penalties under Article 291 of the Penal Code for fraudulent marriages.