RIYADH (AFP) - Saudi men have been banned from marrying women from Myanmar, three other Asian nations and an African country as the Gulf state toughens rules restricting marriage with foreigners, a daily newspaper reported on August 6.
It was no longer permissible for Saudi men to marry women from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Chad, Makkah newspaper reported.
Citing unofficial statistics, it said the total population of these communities in Saudi Arabia had exceeded 500,000 people and implied this might be the reason for the ban.
The paper said the new restrictions are stipulated in application forms that any Saudi wishing to marry a foreign woman should present to authorities.
It also cited the Mecca police chief, General Assaf al-Qurashi, confirming that the four countries have been excluded.
The formalities for marrying any foreigner have also been toughened, reported Makkah.
A man seeking permission to marry a foreigner must be aged old than 25, it said, adding that if recently divorced, he has to wait six months before applying for the licence.
If a married Saudi man wishes to take a foreign women as his second wife, he must present proof that his first wife has cancer, is disabled or unable to have children, it said.
Saudi Arabia allows men to take up to four wives, under Islamic law.
Foreigners in Saudi Arabia represent about 30 percent of a population exceeding 27 million.
