Egyptian Polygamist Cites Koran and States: This Is the Nature of Men

Following are excerpts from an interview with Egyptian polygamist ‘Atef ‘Ammar, which aired on Dubai TV on December 21, 2007.

‘Atef ‘Ammar: When we first got married, we were very much in love. Our love story began two years before we got married, but once we got married, things changed. Very soon, she was pregnant. When she was pregnant, I was sort of patient, because I thought that once she gives birth, life would be beautiful again. But when she gave birth, she became preoccupied with the child, and I was gradually pushed aside. As a lawyer, I get to meet people, and a “link” may be formed with someone, and this leads to one of two things... What is the philosophy underlying polygamy? That you know the end right from the beginning. Let’s be realistic. It all begins when I meet someone, and there is a “link” or an attraction. We start talking – maybe about work – and we like each other. Then there are only two options - adultery or marriage. Let’s be honest.

Interviewer: No, there are many options, but you choose only these two.

‘Atef ‘Ammar: No, there are only these two. If you have a third option, I’m willing to listen.

Interviewer: The third option is that nothing happens. You work together, and that’s it.

‘Atef ‘Ammar: But you can't force a man to do that. The psychological reason underlying polygamy is first and foremost that men, by nature, are inclined towards polygamy. This is nature. "Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet: Women and sons." By nature, men desire more than one woman. The virility of some men is a little high, and their wives do not satisfy them, so they look for more women. When the wife falls short of performing her marital duties, either the relationship collapses and the husband divorces her, or else he finds another relationship to compensate for this.