Divorces rise by 30% in Saudi Arabia after quarantine uncovers polygamous husbands

[danieldemol]

‘Divorces in Saudi Arabia have risen by 30 per cent in the month of February after the quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic caused many wives to discover that their husbands had other wives and families, cording to the Dubai-based news site Gulf News.

It was reported back in February that marriages within the kingdom had increased by five per cent compared to the same month last year, with 13,000 marriages having been conducted and 542 registered online.

The number of divorces that month, however, was at a record 7,482, resulting in a 30 per cent increase in requests for divorces and ‘khula’ – the Islamic process in which a woman can divorce her husband. Annulment is also an option for the women, particularly in cases in which they prove they were harmed by the husband.’

Read more here: Divorces rise by 30% in Saudi Arabia after quarantine uncovers polygamous husbands

 

[sun rise]

Polygamy is OK in Islam - up to 4 wives - so this is surprising to me.

 

[danieldemol]

Polygamy is OK in Islam - up to 4 wives - so this is surprising to me.

I guess the women aren’t as happy about men being able to have other wives on the side without permission as the men are

 

[Piculet]

They can't apply for annulment on the basis of a husband having more wives, unless they have a previous agreement regarding it.

Looking through the articles, I found a single case being referred to as one where a woman had found her husband had married in secret — which he has a right to do.

As if the women would be "forced" to get an annulment in such a situation. In fact, they might not be able to.