A documentary about a Syrian family on Germany’s Spiegel TV has caused controversy in the country.

The 32-year-old Ahmad A. lives with his two wives and six children in the district of Pinneberg. His second wife was only thirteen years old when Ahmad married her in Syria.

While polygamy is banned in Germany, Ahmad was allowed to bring his second wife to Germany. The decision was based on the fact that she is the mother of four of his children.

Ahmad doesn’t understand the controversy, because he is a devout Muslim and follows the Sharia, which allows polygamy.

The family fled Syria’s capital Aleppo in 2015 via Greece, France and Denmark and is now completely living on benefits.

Ahmad says he always wanted to go to Germany and tells Spiegel Tv: “There’s support here. They give us social benefits, they give us this house.”

Ahmad is happy to be in Germany: “I thank you very, very, very much, Mama Merkel. She is the only person who has felt the suffering of the Syrians. I also thank the Germans, even if there are racists among them. But the Germans have experienced war and show great compassion for the Syrians.”

The case of Ahmad and his family isn’t the only one where polygamy is involved. Earlier we reported that 34 refugees imported 130 family members and second wives to Germany. There’s even a case known of one refugee who has 23 children and 4 wives.

Source: voiceofeurope