UPDATE: 70-year-old Saudi man divorces 15-year-old bride
Shameful episode in kingdom riled human rights activists
A shameful episode that cast a negative light on Saudi Arabia has been satisfactorily concluded. The 70-year-old man who complained he had a right to the arranged marriage of his 15-year-old bride has since ended in divorce.
There is no law stipulating a minimum age for marriage in Saudi Arabia. The issue has been a tug of war between the country's legal system and religious leaders for several years. (Photo - child bride Smita,13)
The commission says that the couple fought and she ran away, back to her family.
There is no law stipulating a minimum age for marriage in Saudi Arabia. The issue has been a tug of war between the country's legal system and religious leaders for several years.
The commission sent an investigator to the teenage bride's home in Al-Hurath village in Jizan province, near the border with Yemen.
Dr. Hadi Al-Yami, who runs the commission's branch that covers that area, told CNN that the group sent an investigator to a courthouse where the man had complained to a local official. The commission then reached out to the girl's family, offering legal help.
Commission President Dr. Bandar Alaiban said a meeting had taken place with the parents, man and the girl.
"A divorce has taken place, and the dispute has now been resolved amicably," he says.
The marriage created widespread dissent among human rights groups and activists.
Dr. Suhaila Zein al-Abedin of the Saudi National Association for Human Rights voiced concern about the age difference, as well as the circumstances behind the marriage.
"When you consider the very large difference in age, it looks more like this was not a marriage, but like the girl was sold," al-Abedin said. "The girl's parents need to be held responsible for this."
Prominent Egyptian activist Mona Eltahawy tweeted, "It's only when there's enough public outrage that we can fight #childmarriage. We are not angry enough to help that 15 y/o & others like her."
Yemeni activist NoonArabia tweeted, "#ChildMarriage is a violation of human rights.
Cries against the sexual exploitation of women has gained international impetus after a Indian coed died after being brutally raped aboard a speeding New Delhi bus last month.
© 2013, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.
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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.
Keywords: Teenage bride, Saudi Arabai, human rights, divorce
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I am not defending the right to marry 15 y/o child, for 15 y/o girls (and boys) now are very much mentally and emotionally undeveloped (the only development is in sin.)
2000 years ago, girls in this age were assumed to be 'Almas'. Ready to be betrothed. As Mary was. Saint Joseph would have no way to find 'Alma' these days, for these days there is no guarantee that a 15 y/o young girl would be at the same time a virgin.
I have seen a long time ago a [pagan] statement (I was a pagan at that time:) "Christ - a man who was born two thousand years to early." I see that there was no other time for Christ being born except two thousand years ago...
Just a few lose thoughts. Nothing to comment. Blessings to you all.
This is the reason some have labeled Mohammed a pedophile- this practice of marrying children? Disgusting.