Divorce is drastically different in the Middle East compared to the West, where it is prevalent even among royal families.
A 30-year-old Princess Mahra Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced her separation from her spouse on social media a few months after their daughter was born.
The Princess announced her divorce and an accusation of abandonment in a message on Instagram against Prince Mana bin Mohammed bin Rashid.
They were married on May 27, 2023.
The House of Maktoum, which Princess Mahra hails from and which Dubai’s royal family controls has remained silent on the matter.
Many have taken the post to be an accusation of adultery against her husband.
The Princess wrote to her “dear husband” that she was officially divorcing him since he was occupied with ”’other companions.” She then wrote “I Divorce You” three times.
The locals believed that Princess Mahra’s account had been compromised.
Pictures of Mahra and her spouse have been removed from their Instagram accounts after her divorce announcement went viral.
According to all appearances, Sheikha Mahra used the Islamic practice of triple talaq, which enables husbands to quickly divorce their wives.
In 2017, India’s highest court ruled that the practice of triple talaq violated the country’s constitution. Those in favor argue that it defends Muslim women. Critics argue that the penalty is too severe and may be easily abused. The maximum sentence for males convicted of violating the legislation is three years in prison.
A Muslim man may legally have four wives in the UAE as long as he treats each one equally and provides equal support.
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the father of Princess Mahra, is the ruler of Dubai and the Prime Minister of the UAE.
The princess is a 2023 London University graduate and vocal supporter of women’s rights. Her mother, Zoe Grigorakos, is a Greek national, and she is the estranged wife of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.