Unwed couples against our faith, says Turkish deputy PM

MANİSA - Doğan News Agency

Marriage is a significant and sacred matter, Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç said Sept. 1 at the wedding of a young couple. DHA photo

Marriage is a significant and sacred matter, Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç said Sept. 1 at the wedding of a young couple, adding that unions without marriage were against his faith.

“In our faith, marriage is very important. In our traditions, we care greatly about marriages, and we even see them as sacred. That’s why it’s not good to have a relationship without marriage,” Arınç said.

The deputy prime minister said married life protected people from a series of terrible things. “Sadly the cause behind many bad things and illnesses is a stance against [marriage].”

Arınç said he hoped the marriage of the young couple would set an example to all young people in the country. One of the in-laws is a Justice and Development Party (AKP) provincial council head, Hayrullah Solmaz.

Arınç left the wedding ceremony after half an hour, according to Doğan news agency.