Tribal Marriage Still a Problem within the Kingdom
Several recent cases highlight the reality of Saudi society which is still very much ruled by the whims of families instead of the individual. In two highly publicized cases Saudi women have been forced to divorce their husband because family members doubt the tribal heritage of their husband. The rule is that tribal marry tribal or risk ostracism or worse–a visit with divorce papers filed by third party family members. In one case a woman named Fatima was arrested for living with her legally married husband Mansour al-Timani. Her half brothers had filed for a divorce on her behalf. While the case is pending Fatima is living in an orphanage in Dammam with her young son. Fatima’s kin allege that her husband lied about his tribal ethnicity. In similar case in Qatif, a couple, who had a four-month-old daughter, were ordered separated by a court after the wife’s father filed the case against his son-in-law, Abdullah Ali. The grounds for divorce? Ali was determined to have lied about his tribal roots.
In the meantime, showing the power of the collective tribal elite, these women who love their husbands, remain in a legal limbo with their children until their cases are decided.
