Gulf | Saudi Arabia

Saudi court to examine 12-year-old's marriage case

Human rights activists call on ministry to set minimum wedding age

By Abdul Rahman Shaheen, Correspondent
Published: 00:00 January 20, 2010

Image Credit: Gulf News

Riyadh: A court in Al Qasim region will examine on Monday the case of a 12-year-old girl from Buraidah, who was forcibly married to a man in his eighties. The marriage has stirred a controversy inside and outside the kingdom.

The rights body is trying its best to convince the old man to annul his marriage with the minor.

The girl was married off by her father to the man without her knowledge. The man insisted on getting her married despite stiff opposition from her mother, whom he had divorced earlier.

The incident is another example of several similar cases in which minor girls had been forcibly married to old men.

Marrying off young girls to men the age of their fathers has stirred heated debates in the kingdom amid calls for the state to legalise a marriage age. The Saudi media is playing a vital role in raising awareness of the negative impact of child marriage and is discouraging Saudi parents from getting their daughters married to aged men with an eye on monetary gains.

Dr Abdul Rahman Al Subeihi, a child expert at the National Committee for Childhood, underlined the need for curbing child marriages.

Impact

He called on the Ministry of Justice to enact a law to forbid marriages of girls under the age of 18. "The psychological, physical and emotional impact of such marriages lead several victims to depression and psychic problems, and some of them even commit suicide," he told reporters.

He said most of those who prefer to marry minor girls, are rich old people. "These aged men want to satisfy their sexual desires, and most of the marriages end in failures and divorces," he said.

Gulf News has learnt that the Human Rights Commission has formed a committee to address this issue that put Saudi Arabia on defensive, mainly because of the aggressive onslaught of the world media and human rights organisations. The commission has also established a committee to investigate the marriage.

The husband's agreement to the divorce is the latest twist in the saga since he married the child in Buraidah recently.

Princess Sara Bint Musaid Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, a Saudi activist in the field of humanitarian and charity works, said a lawyer has been entrusted to appear for the child in the case.

She urged the Ministry of Justice to frame a law to forbid such marriages.

The girl was married off to the old man last Ramadan for a dowry (mahr) of 85,000 Saudi riyals (Dh83,215).

Have your say
What do you think of this issue? In this day and age are girl child rights a myth? What do you think can be done to stop such incidents from happening? Tell us.

Comments (16)

Added 13:48 January 20, 2010

It is truly heart-breaking to hear such stories about child marriages. How can a girl who is still dreaming of little ponies and fairies be subjected to such appalling practices? The government should do something about it.

Rehan S., Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:45 January 20, 2010

There is no age limt set by Islam for male or female for getting married, unless they reach puberty. The only thing illegal and illegitimate in this case is the lack of consent girl's consent and the greed for dowry from girls' father, which is rightly condemned. As far as setting the age for marriage is concerned, this is completely against Islamic teachings and it should not happen anywhere especially in a Muslim country.

Hassan, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:34 January 20, 2010

i find it funny that someone can defend this practice of marrying at an early age. why do we put age limit and not just follow what was written? simply because the brain of a child is not as develop as the older people. she cant decide and cant see the consequences of marrying at an early age. dear afreen can you show me statistics that will prove those who got married at an early age to old men were done with their free will. please give me links to where they did the study or they just closed their eyes because as you say, this is what was written.

Felix Sabiniano, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:49 January 20, 2010

The old age people need care and attention and not young little girls. These little children should be involved in education and other activities related to the well beign of tomorrow brighter future of their country.

Anonymous, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:43 January 20, 2010

This is just ridiculous. This is a very common practise in many counties.The Government should make a law for the legal age of a girl to get married which idealy should be 18. This is absolute torture to a girl. Men should be punished who forcfully marry young girls against their will.Severe punishment should be given. A girl is not born to be tortured. She has a right to live and to be happy the way she wants!!

Sheneela, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 09:36 January 20, 2010

This act is condemned. However, proper investigation to be carried out to know reasons behind such marriage. If it is just the lust of an old man and greed of money of the father, it is no less than a crime. However, Father has no right to use the Mahr money. It is the sole right of the bride. Furthermore, such people should think about the rights of such girls, what will happen to her education, her life after the old man, is it not against the will of the subject, etc. Let the society think about it and learn from this.

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 09:21 January 20, 2010

Marry a girl with a old man is not fair with any girl. And in case the conclusion will be an end with divorce. Marriage of a girl or boy must be in matured age. And that is pertaining at least this time after 15.

Shaikh Mohammad Ayoub, Dubai, Afghanistan

Added 09:05 January 20, 2010

they should not allow the girl to marry to an old man. it will ruin her life. the benefits will be on the old man only and to the father who will receive the dowry. in the child’s side is only depression. She has the right to be happy in the life. God created her a free person not to be ruled by dominant father.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 09:02 January 20, 2010

First of all let the world know that there are such other problems in the US/UK also where you have so called 'minors' getting pregnant, etc. But then they are always poking their big noses into others problems ignoring their own. In Islam, yes the girl has to be married by her consent only; her wali (guardian) cannot force her into marriage. Secondly, when setting an age limit is concerned the law cannot do that because in Islam when a girl reaches puberty she can marry from then onwards anytime, whether its 9 years or 12 years. Who has set this age of 18 as a limit for everything? The West! Also, the man's age does not matter. Whether he is 18 or 80, if he is suitable prospect and the girl has given her consent, they can be married to each other. An 18 year old man can marry a 80 year old woman and vice versa.

Afreen, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 08:57 January 20, 2010

This act is totally inhumane and unacceptable. We assume its the parents of the minor who are to be penalised and punished by the Court of Law for encouraging such marriages.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates