This House believes marriage between close family members should be discouraged

Monday March 19 2012
MOTION PASSED by 81% to 19%

Speakers

Sarfraz Manzoor

Speaking for the motion

Sarfraz Manzoor is a British commentator and broadcaster specialising in social and cultural issues. He regularly contributes to the British newspaper, The Guardian. He also presents documentaries on BBC Radio 4, covering topics including British Asian identity; faith schools and social cohesion; and the growing use of matrimonial websites amongst British Muslims.

Samar Fatany

Speaking against the motion

Samar Fatany has been presenting cultural, religious and current events programmes on Saudi television for the past 30 years. She now writes for a range of regional newspapers including Arab News and Khaleej Times. She has also contributed to social awareness campaigns, including fighting extremism; enhancing women’s role in society; and promoting the empowerment of youth in Saudi Arabia today.

Ohad Birk

Speaking for the motion

Professor Ohad Birk is the head of the Genetics Institute at Soroka Medical Center and of the Kahn Genetics Research Center at the Ben Gurion University National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev.Through his research he has discovered more than 20 hereditary human diseases, mostly in inbred Arab communities. His findings have led him to set up a carrier screening programme for severe genetic diseases, that helps reduce infant mortality in those communities.

Alan Bittles