In Saudi Arabia, Divorce can have Shocking Aspects
By Dr. Ali Alyami
Forced marriages, marriages between family members and those of radically different ages, and chauvinist tribal traditions enforced by a combination of austere political and arbitrary religious judicial systems are taking a high toll on Saudi society, especially its women. The overwhelming majority of Saudi women marry men they do not know, choose, or like. Their male relatives meet and bargain until they reach the right dowry for the women. This is in effect a price, paid in cash, gold, animals, jewelry, land, or a combination of items. This practice does nothing to dissuade Saudi men from their conception that women are private property. Sadly, this is legal under the Shari’a, Islamic law. These debasing practices are sanctioned by Saudi religious courts and political institutions, where the rule of law and civil codes are considered anti-Islamic teachings and traditions.
Saudi political and religious institutions do not recognize women as full citizens, or even full human beings who can be trusted to support themselves or drive their dying children to the hospital in the absence of male relatives or hired drivers. An example of the arbitrary nature of Saudi judicial practice occured in August 2006. A husband, Mansoor and a spouse, Fatima were separated from each other without their knowledge by a religious judge who sided with Fatima’s two half brothers on the ground that the husband was not of pure blood, and was therefore unfit for their sister.
“Unfortunately, the court in Al Jouf issued its decision last August in the absence of both Mansoor and Fatima”… “How can a woman be divorced from her husband when she didn’t ask for a divorce nor did he divorce her? … Forcing a couple to divorce on tribal and social grounds is despicable and shameless”. Khaleej Times, 31 October 2006
There is no protection for women under the Saudi-Wahhabi political and religious systems. Given the present hostile environment against women in Saudi Arabia, the only hope for Saudi women to gain their legitimate rights is to stand up and demand their rights publicly. However, this is not likely to happen without the international community’s public and official support. The rights of Saudi citizens and expatriates will be the result of the creation and implementation of a non-sectarian democratic constitution where people’s rights are protected under the rule of law regardless of race, gender or religious orientation. These values could not be the antithesis to the teachings and implementation of Islam.