Saudis are becoming concerned that divorce rates are now reaching 30% of marriages and want to look into the psychological and religious aspects behind them. I think social factors are worth exploring as well as the way in which some families force divorces, as with the case of ‘Fatima’.
‘Divorce in Saudi Society’ Symposium Planned in Riyadh
Raid Qusti, Arab NewsRIYADH, 13 January 2008 — The divorce rate in Saudi Arabia has reached more than 30 percent of the total number of marriages in the year, the Ministry of Social Affairs announced yesterday.
In a move aimed at focusing on the alarming number of divorces in Saudi Arabia, the ministry, upon receiving directives from Minister of Social Affairs Abdul Muhsin Al-Akkas, will sponsor the first symposium to discuss the problem at national level.
Entitled “Divorce in Saudi Society,†the symposium will be held at the Prince Salman Social Center in Riyadh. A panel of sociologists, psychologists, and religious scholars will discuss the topic, particularly its effects on society as well as its psychological and religious aspects.
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January:13:2008 - 17:10
One of the primary issues related to divorce is that men can divorce by simply saying the 3 words “I divorce you”. Since that is part of Sharia, I do not think that it will change. However, the Ministry of Social Affairs should look at measures such as support penalties to stop the abuse. One of the traditions that are in use in the Hijaz area is a contractual agreement called Mukhar Sadaq. This works similar to a prenuptial agreement where the husband will pay a pre-negotiated amount in the case of abusing the divorce privilege.
There are other issues that we discussed under an article John introduced last September. Details can be found here…
January:13:2008 - 22:42
The ease with which men can obtain a divorce–without much consequence–is indeed a major part of the problem, IMO.
January:14:2008 - 09:02
And what about the ‘misyar’ marriages which are temporary in nature…does one have to also have a divorce when the period has ended? Are these also factored into the increased divorce ratio?
As you said, there are many issues which have to be taken into consideration on the issue of Saudis and increased divorces.
American Bedu
January:14:2008 - 13:42
Fatima-like cases are very much an anomaly as far as divorce is concerned, because “problematic” marriages are rare to begin with. They probably don’t contribute much to that 30% statistic. I also think it’s simplistic to attribute it to the “ease” of divorce under Shari’a, because it’s not as if that’s something new; men were still allowed to do this back when the divorce rates were lower than 30% afterall.