Editing Cohabitation (section)

===Middle East===
The cohabitation rate in West Asian countries is much lower than in European countries. In some parts of the continent it is however becoming more common for young people.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}} As of 1994, the rate of premarital cohabitation in Israel was 25%.<ref>Kaplan, Amit. 2002. ''The roads of freedom: cohabitation patterns in Israel''. M. A. Thesis, Tel-Aviv University (in Hebrew)</ref>

Cohabitation is illegal according to [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] [[sharia]] law.<ref>See commentary on verses {{qref|23|1-6}}: Vol. 3, notes 7–1, p. 241; 2000, Islamic Publications.{{full citation needed|date=June 2023|reason=I believe this is a refernce to a book source, not the Quran. The qref template should not be used.}}</ref><ref>{{Qtaf|en:ibk|4|24}}</ref> Cohabitation, Bi'ah, is a legal status, "Yadua BetTzibbur", by the Jews [[Halakha]] (Halacha) religious Law.<ref>{{cite web |author=Maurice Lamm |title=Non-Jewish Wedding Ceremonies for Jews |url=https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/479943/jewish/Non-Jewish-Wedding-Ceremonies-for-Jews.htm |website=Chabad.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author1=C. G. Montefiore|author2=H. M. J. Loewe|title=A Rabbinic Anthology |date=12 July 2012 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-108-04812-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nifOxU_RrCAC&pg=PR76 |pages=76–}}</ref>

==== Kuwait ====
Some legal recognition is extended to former common-law unions in Kuwait. Kuwaiti Family law applies the law of the father's, husband's or male partner's country in case of [[expatriate]] familial disputes. Hence, if the father's country of nationality recognises common-law marriages (like the United Kingdom), matters such as [[child support]] dues and [[Alimony|maintenance]] can be considered in a Kuwaiti court.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Expat divorce in Kuwait |website=Expatriate Law |url=https://expatriatelaw.com/where-to-divorce/divorce-where-you-live/expat-divorce-in-kuwait/|access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref> However, out-of-marriage sexual intercourse is an offence punishable in Kuwait with a prison sentence between 6 months and 6 years if caught in action by an official or an administrative [[deportation]] order. This meaning that common-law marriage recognition can only be practically seen in exceptional cases like where the illegitimate child was born aboard and/or former couples who have since expatriated to Kuwait.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ahmed|first=Fajer|date=28 August 2013|title=Kuwait Law: Sexual Crimes |website=248am.com |url=https://248am.com/fajer/kuwait/kuwait-law-sexual-crimes/|access-date=11 October 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629203323/https://248am.com/fajer/kuwait/kuwait-law-sexual-crimes/}}</ref> Single expat parents including expat mothers can legally sponsor their children for residency permits.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Yasmena Al Mulla |date=24 August 2020 |title=Kuwait allows expat mothers to sponsor children |website=Gulf News |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/kuwait/kuwait-allows-expat-mothers-to-sponsor-children-1.73390299|access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref> Couples where one or both parties are Kuwaiti are covered by local family law and hence do not have recourse to the limited recognition of common-law marriage.<ref name=":0"/>

==== United Arab Emirates ====
Children born out-of-wedlock are given partial recognition. Their single expat mother or single expat father can sponsor them for residency. However, sexual relations outside of marriage were illegal in the UAE until November 2020, when restrictions were eased.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sponsoring family residency visa by expatriates |url=https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visa/sponsoring-family-residency-visa-by-expatriates |date=n.d. |orig-year=Updated on 3 February 2020 |access-date=11 October 2020|website=The United Arab Emirates' Government portal |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517105801/https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visa/sponsoring-family-residency-visa-by-expatriates |archive-date=2020-05-17 |language=en}}</ref>