The challenge of interfaith marriages in Senegal

Some 17 million people live in Senegal, a peaceful country on the furthest western edge of the African continent. More than 90% of the inhabitants are Muslims, while a little more than 5% are Catholics. And mixed marriages between members of the two faiths are not uncommon. But what do their religions say about the practice? 

In principle, the Muslim tradition provides a number of conditions for mixed marriages.

"In Sura 5 verse 5, the Koran has explicitly authorized the marriage of a Muslim man with women from among those it calls 'the People of the Book', that is, Jews and Christians," explains Mouhamadou Makhtar Kanté, imam of the Point E mosque in Dakar. But he says that means "a Muslim woman was not allowed to marry a man of another religion".

"The ulemas (specialists in Islamic law) point out that the authorization was given to the man because of his position as head of the family. This will ensure that the children will be born in the Muslim religion of their father," he explains.

The agreement of the parents

But interpretations vary, as does the way in which these provisions are put into practice. Diabel Kouyaté, imam of the HLM Grand Yoff mosque, says that in order for the marriage to be valid according to Muslim rites, the couple's parents must agree to the union, which must be celebrated before an imam after the groom has paid the dowry.

"If the Muslim party agrees to enter into a lifelong union with the Christian party, the parish priest of the Christian spouse applies to the bishop for authorization," explains Father Noël Coly, a priest of the Saint-Louis diocese in northern Senegal. If the request is accepted, the parish priest meets with the Muslim spouse to remind him of his "obligations and duties", notably "monogamy, freedom of consent, indissolubility of marriage, and fidelity".

The Muslim spouse also agrees not to prevent or discourage the practice of the Catholic faith by his or her partner or the children who will be born of this union. If both spouses agree on these conditions, the nuptial blessing is granted.

Spiritual education of the children

An important issue in mixed marriages is the religious education of the children. While Christians emphasize the freedom of choice for the children of such a union, Muslims require that the children be educated in the religion of their father since he is the "head of the family". But, again, the practice varies.

"We have decided, by mutual agreement, to give our children two names at birth, one Muslim and the other Christian,” explain the Diattas, a mixed couple who have opted for a free choice for their children. “This will make it easier for them if they later decide to embrace their mother's religion." 

Roseline Diatta, who is the Christian spouse, believes that children end up choosing their religion based on their affinity to one or the other parent. "Every night, before going to sleep, all my children join me in saying our prayers," she says. "In the end, they all know how to make the sign of the cross, and recite the Our Father and the Hail Mary."

The Diopses, another mixed couple, put the emphasis on raising the children "in righteousness". "That's what the revealed religions advocate," they point out.

Difficulties

Often, the difficulties faced by mixed couples are related to pressure from families who want the spouse of a different religion to embrace theirs. Sometimes these challenges are also related to polygamy, which is practiced in Senegalese culture and in Islam, but is prohibited among Catholics.

Married to a Muslim for ten years, Julie faces this problem. "Twice, my husband wanted to take a second wife," she says. 

Though these attempts were not successful, the young mother of two children "prays" that her husband will not betray the oath he made before the Catholic Church; that is, to remain in a monogamous marriage.