iPhone 6: Saudi Man Wants Latest Apple Smartphone as Dowry for Marrying Sister

A Saudi man has asked his prospective brother-in-law to give him an iPhone 6 as a dowry for marrying his sister, according to reports.

The request by the man, who has not been named, has been described as "bizarre" as the institution of marriage in Arab culture is said not to be abused as a means to acquire gifts or money.

And, if his request is taken seriously, he may have to wait a while as the sought-after device will only be available in limited countries on the 19 September release date, including the US, UK and Japan.

The prospective groom has to submit to the father's request for money if he wants to pursue the marriage, according to reports from Kuwaiti daily newspaper Al Anba.

Dowries are traditional in the Arab world and Asia but are intended to be simple gifts rather than families insisting on exorbitant sums of money to consent to the marriage.

"We have heard about quite a few of things but an iPhone 6 that has not even hit the markets here is a bit bizarre," said Saud Ahmad, a Bahraini office clerk. "We need to promote a culture where marriage should not be used by anyone to get gifts or make profits in any way. If I had been the groom, I would have confronted the brother."