Riyadh: More than 598 Saudi families consisting of more than 1,822 members are currently stranded in a number of foreign countries, a Saudi welfare society looking after Saudis abroad announced.
The situation can arise where some Saudis travel to foreign countries with the intention of entering into temporary marriages. However, foreign wives are not allowed to enter the kingdom with their children.
"There are large numbers of Saudi sons and daughters who have been born under Misyar, Misfar, tourist and other kinds of marriages, which are permissible under Sharia rulings in these countries and on which Saudi travellers depend," Dr Ali Al Hanaki, adviser to the Welfare Society to Care for the Saudi Families Abroad (AWASIR), told local Arabic daily Al Watan.He said countries with the majority of Saudi families include Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Yemen, Bahrain and Kuwait in addition to America, Canada and some European countries.
Talking to Gulf News, chairman of the society Dr Tawfiq Bin Abdul Aziz Al Suwailam said the society was providing financial help to these families including educational expenses and health care.
Assistance offered
He said the society will provide air tickets, accommodation and sustenance for three months to those wishing to come to Saudi Arabia before handing them over to one of the domestic welfare societies. Al Suwailam said second deputy premier and interior minister Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud supports the society which has earmarked millions of riyals for the return of Saudi families stranded abroad.
He added that the society provides the returnees with accommodation and jobs and caters to the needs of the other families who have not yet completed their procedures for homecoming.
