SR100,000 dowry demand by father leads to ‘divorce’

Jeddah: A young couple’s hopes to get married and lead a happy life have been dashed after the would-be husband failed to pay SR100,000 as dowry to the bride’s father.
The 19-year-old bride has said that she was ready to accept SR5,000 from the 24-year-old youth, but her father insisted on a very high amount, local media reported on Wednesday.
“I ask you to please re-look into women’s rights,” the girl has told the committee on guidance and family reconciliation at the Qassim governorate.
“The father of the girl, despite her being married to the youth on paper a year ago, demanded SR100,000 as dowry to complete the marriage. However, the young man was unable to raise that amount and divorce her,” Rashed Al-Shalash, a member of the committee, was quoted as saying.
“Dowry is for the bride and father does not have the right to demand divorce on that basis. This is a form of control,” said Al-Shalash.
“We cannot get involved because the divorce has been finalized. The young girl has urged us to help other girls who may be experiencing similar pressure from parents or guardians,” he said.
“I am accepting the situation. I forgave my parents, father and husband. I thank God for everything,” the girl has written in her message to the committee.

 

 

—Courtesy “Arab News”