Arab News reports on another case of child marriage that is hitting the Saudi courts. There has been a spate of media reports on the issue, the story acknowledges, which makes it difficult to know whether this represents an increase in the problem or simply an increase in the reporting.

This particular case is going to be interesting in that it differs from earlier cases due to the age of the girl. Earlier cases involved eight- and ten-year-old girls; this one involves a 12-year-old. Now, 12 is still considered a child in the West, but it is not quite so in the traditional Muslim world. Under Islamic law, puberty is pretty much the defining line. This case may result in the drawing of a brighter line concerning age of marriage, though, as some sectors of Saudi society seeks to bring local laws in line with international norms.

Nevertheless, this case also involves the matter of a girl’s consent to a marriage, something the mother alleges never happened. That is likely to be the point on which the court will rule. Any result that serves to clarify age limits will be supplemental.

Jizan man marries off daughter in mother’s custody
Laura Bashraheel | Arab News

JEDDAH: A Saudi mother filed a complaint with the Jizan police against her ex-husband for marrying off their 12-year-old daughter without the mother’s knowledge.

The woman who has the custody of her daughter claims that her child is too young to get married and the father did not inform her of his plans to marry the girl.

Maj. Ahmed Al-Wada’ani, official spokesman for Jizan police, told Arab News that after the woman filed the complaint police brought in the girl’s father for questioning.
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