Palestinian child bride of 12 “became 17” to marry older man, couple married for 75 years

Official PA TV program Palestine This Morning, on Abu Wajdi and Sara Al-Qassem who have been married for 75 years

Official PA TV host: "Tell us how did you meet your wife?"
Palestinian man Abu Wajdi Al-Qassem: "She is my cousin. She was born abroad and lived [there] with her family. At the time, her father said to everyone: 'When we come to Palestine, this girl is intended for Abu Wajdi Al-Qassem.'"
(PA TV host): "How old was she?"
Palestinian man Abu Wajdi Al-Qassem: "Right when she was born she was given to me in my absence, but when she came [here] she was 12. (Laughing) She was 12. However, in Islam it is permissible to add years to one’s age, so the sheikh at the time gave her 5 years, and she became 17."
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