Hi All,
As I am new to this forum, please allow any mistakes to be forgiven, but I would like to comment seriously about the topic.
Yes, a Muslim male is allowed (according to religion, and most Arab countries where Sharia law is prevalent) to marry up to 4 wives only if he can treat them equally (seperate housing, spending equal nights with each one, and giving them the same financial support). His wife (or wives) must be a believer (i.e. a Muslim, Christian, and/or Jew) with the understanding that his and her children would be raised up as Muslims. The wive (if non-Muslim) does not have to convert unless she is a non-believer (i.e. worships idols or anything other than the Almighty).
Meanwhile, a Muslim female cannot marry other than a Muslim male (so if he is Christian or Jew), then he would have to convert. The reason is that the children would have to be raised as Muslims (i.e. according to the father's religion)
Now, the practice of marrying more than one wife is not prevalent in the Middle East (except amongst the extremely wealthy or the extremely poor and improvished). Once a person makes a mistake, why would he do it again?!?!?!? lol.
Seriously though, it is something that is joked about, but rarely is found in the Muslim countries and is used by Westerners (generalizations) who just want to point out the "badness" of the Muslim faith for their own ulterior motives.
Also, it is important to recognize that in certain Western countries, poligamy, even if you are Muslim, is a crime and you can be prosecuted if commit it.
Civil marriages in other countries are recognized in the UAE which is a solution but I do not advocate it for Muslim women as it is against the religious teachings.
Hope that clarifies the issue for a lot of people.
Siwash