Saudi mulls pre-marriage psychiatric test

Saudi Arabia is considering enforcing compulsory psychiatric examination for couples before marriage to ensure they are not suffering from any mental problems, a local newspaper reported on Thursday.

The Shura council (appointed parliament) is considering the new law following a recommendation by the Saudi Charity Association for Schizophrenia patients, Wujooh electronic Arabic language daily said.

“The proposed law requires all couples who want to marry to be subject to psychiatric tests before marriage…the present law stipulates pre-marriage medical examination but does not include psychological tests,” it said.

“The Council believes both the bridegroom and bride should be free of any psychiatric problem as is the case in physical illnesses before they marry.”

The paper said Shura would discuss the proposal at its next meeting within two weeks. If approved, Saudi Arabia could become the first Arab nation to enforce compulsory psychiatric examination to wedding couples.

The Gulf kingdom, one of the most conservative Muslim nations, introduced mandatory pre-marriage medical examination five years ago.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.