By Noorsila Abd Majid

Trust Ahmad Dhani when it comes to making controversial public statements. The Indonesian music genius, who is the force behind super rock band Dewa 19, has publicly supported polygamy in a heated debate with a Muslim women's movement leader in Jakarta.

"Polygamy in Islam doesn't degrade women," the spiritually inclined Dhani told Detik Hot. "Any Muslim woman who objects to it is insulting Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Prophet Muhammad, who was a polygamist, was fair to all his wives."

Agreed. But all of Prophet Muhammad's wives - except for Saidatina Aisyah, were widows - mostly single mothers in dire need of financial support and protection. And he did not marry them until the passing of his first wife, Saidatina Khadijah.

Maria Ulfah, the outspoken leader of PP Fatayat NU said: "Do not equate ourselves with the prophet, Mr Ahmad Dhani.

"He was willing to marry an 80-year-old widow. But our men today mostly want to marry more than one wife because of sex."

-The Daily Chilli/Asia News Network