Local NGO Sisters In Islam (SIS), in cooperation with the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies of UKM, embarked on an ambitious survey on polygamy, questioning more than 1400 participants from polygamous families throughout Peninsula Malaysia. Professor Norani Othman, Principal Research Fellow of IKMAS, headed a team of various academics with backgrounds in sociology, anthropology, medicine and community development, to carry out this survey.

In the first of this two-part series, Prof. Norani talks at length about the survey conducted and reveals how there has not been one single study of Muslim polygamy done, based on credible numbers, and taking into account various aspects of the lives, economic and cultural situations of the families.

She also explains what the Quran says about polygamy, what Syariah Law is and how many Muslim men regard the whole concept of polygamy, among other things.