DAMMAM — The Ministry of Justice has said there has been a sharp increase in Adhl cases (male guardians prohibiting marriage of women under their custody), Al-Yaum daily reported. The minister of justice's consultant on social and family affairs, Nasser Al-Oud, said there have been 170 Adhl cases so far this year. The ministry is currently working on finding permanent solutions to the problem. “If a guardian refuses to marry his daughter or the woman has no guardian, then the court is legally bound to marry the woman. Many lack awareness of their legal rights, which often times make cases more complicated,” said Al-Oud. Adhl cases are highly sensitive and require the expertise of experts on social, education and Islamic affairs. The ministry is preparing to implement a penal system in such familial affairs, said Al-Oud. The ministry is also dealing with authenticating separation cases. Religiously speaking, husbands can separate from their wives for a maximum period of six months. Al-Oud said that the ministry is trying to regulate such cases as many ask for separation because they want to receive social insurance. If the separation period takes too long, the court has the right to divorce the couple. Ghazi Al-Shammary, a family affairs consultant at the Ministry of Justice, warned against giving too many concessions to women. “Doing so could create a rebellious female society. Other countries in the Gulf have already experienced the backlash of their excessive support for women and meager support for men. I receive cases of husbands complaining about being physically abused by their wives, having their wives travel abroad or go out without their permission and leaving children in the care of maids and other such issues, which dismiss men's rights,” said Al-Shammary while adding that the media and mosques should be more involved in raising awareness regarding the rights of women and men.
