JAKARTA: A Tinder-style dating app for polygamists has sparked controversy in Indonesia, the world鈥檚 most populous Muslim nation 鈥� but its developer says he 鈥渏ust wants to help鈥� unmarried middle-aged women.
Indonesian law defines marriage as between a man and a woman but polygamy is tolerated in certain circumstances, despite being generally frowned upon.
Ayo Poligami, loosely translated as 鈥渓et鈥檚 go polygamy,鈥� is a free smartphone app that matches married and single Muslim men with women who want to create 鈥渂ig families.鈥�
It has attracted more than 56,000 members since its launch in April, according to developer Lindu Cipta Pranayama.
But women鈥檚 rights campaigners have criticized the app, warning of a strong link between polygamy and domestic violence.
鈥淒ue to the controversy, I initially wanted to permanently shut down the site, but when I saw many women in their 40s of 50s who are still virgins and unmarried I decided to keep it,鈥� Pranayama told AFP Tuesday.
鈥淐an you image being in your 40s or 50s but never been touched by a man?鈥� added the 35-year-old, who created the app after failing to find a wife on several dating sites.
Indonesian men who apply to one of the country鈥檚 Islamic courts, which have jurisdiction over marriage, are able to take a second wife under certain circumstances.
For example, a court may review and grant an application if the man鈥檚 first wife is unable to bear children or has a disability and gives her permission.
Adriana Venny Aryani, from Indonesia鈥檚 National Commission on Violence Against Women, said polygamy as facilitated by Ayo Poligami could be harmful to wives.
鈥淲hen the husband is practicing polygamy, women are emotionally abused, economically (abused), and sometimes violently,鈥� she said.
Pranayama said a high number of fake accounts had caused the platform to temporarily close, but a new version is set to launch on Thursday with more stringent user criteria.
Indonesian authorities recently shut down another controversial matchmaking site, Nikahsirri.com, which offered 鈥渧irgin auctions鈥� for men and women looking for marriage.
Police arrested the founder of the short-lived site, Aris Wahyudi, over the 鈥減ornographic content鈥� it contained.
Polygamy dating app draws criticism in Indonesia
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