Former Conservative minister, Richard Holden, is calling for first-cousin marriage to be banned in the UK.
He says children of first cousins are at greater risk of birth defects and the practice should be prohibited to protect public health.
The Bill is due for its second reading on Friday.
But the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK says the ban would “unnecessarily curb fundamental freedoms and stigmatise Muslims.”
Islam permits marriage amongst cousins and says they often are a means of providing support, stability and love within the family unit.
The community says if cousin marriage is deemed a risk to children, the use of alcohol and cigarettes should also be assessed.
The Government has previously said it has no plans to change the current law.
Under current legislation, marriages to a sibling, parent or child are prohibited but not between first cousins.
Rafiq Hayat, National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK said:
“If research or data suggests there is any heightened health risk associated with the children of consanguineous marriages, it is similarly proven that other factors, such as consumption of alcohol, smoking or otherwise unhealthy lifestyles, can have very adverse effects. Thus, if the objective is to prevent an elevated risk to children, it follows that alcohol and smoking should also be legally proscribed for those who wish to have children.
“If legal limits are limited to ‘cousin marriage’, it would not be a stretch to suggest that this is another attempt to demonise or label the Muslim community as ‘backward’.”
“The way ‘cousin marriage’ is portrayed in the media often gives rise to the impression that any consanguineous marriage must be a ‘forced’ marriage arranged by family elders without the consent of the bride and groom. Islam does not permit forced marriage to any degree. Rather, the verses of the Holy Quran recited at the time of Nikah (religious marriage ceremony) require both parties to be entirely truthful and disclose any information relevant to the other party’s consent. Thus, in Islam, informed consent is categorically necessary on both sides. If this is not the case, then it violates Islamic teachings and is to be condemned.”
