She was 11 when this story first appeared but now that she’s all ‘growed up’ at 12, she tells the court that her forced marriage was actually done with her agreement.
AFP – A 12-year-old Saudi girl unexpectedly gave up her petition for divorce from an 80-year-old man her father forced her to marry in exchange for a $22,000 dowry, Saudi media reported Tuesday.
Despite support from human rights lawyers and child welfare advocates, the girl and her mother, who originally sought the divorce, withdrew the case Monday in a court in Buraidah, in Al-Qasim province, newspapers said.
The girl told the court that her marriage to the man was done with her agreement, according to Okaz newspaper.
“I agree to the marriage. I have no objection. This is in filial respect to my father and obedience to his wish,” (if she wants to stay alive, that is) she said.
An unnamed official of the government’s Human Rights Commission, which was originally asked by the mother to help in getting the marriage annulled, told Arab News they too were surprised by the mother and daughter dropping the case.
Saudi Arabia has no law against child marriage, and clerics and religious judges justify the practice based on Islamic and Saudi tradition. FRANCE.24
Ghulam says
Not all Muslims practice this. But NONE of us condemn this behavior except online, perhaps. But that doesn’t count. There’s no sense of outrage.
Bleeps says
I think money hungry parents married her out of expectation of fast gramps death fortune into their claws. I’ve seen it time & time again. Money/ legacy above age law or sharia or sex…All muslims are materialist and childrens are a puppet!
Az gal says
They worship a pedophile named Mohammed. Can’t expect anything else.
Anonymous Reader says
lol i bet you havent even read the Quran lol. you’d be less hypocritical and racist if you’d have actually read it.
BareNakedIslam says
The reason we hate islam and muslims so much is because we HAVE read your filthy, violent quran.
emily says
That is foolishness d father of d child prison he is hasty he will actually sell his chid to.a man to make it.worse the man i old 80yrs he should be hang or sum that poor little girl have no.choice she don’t no.any better but to listen to her parents where is.d. mother she have a part to play in this let.the child divorce. That man
Chantell says
The poor little girl was more then likely threatened!