CHRONOLOGICAL LOG OF MEDIA COVERAGE
CAMPAIGN AND TAKE ACTION INFORMATION
FORCED DIVORCE IN SAUDI ARABIA
FATIMA AND MANSOUR AL-TIMANI'S
MARRIAGE AND FORCED DIVORCE
Compiled by Aishah
Schwartz
Mansour Al-Timani and daughter, Noha, age 2.
(Photo Courtesy of The Saudi Gazette)
TO DATE MEDIA COVERAGE HAS BEEN THROUGH UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL, SAUDI ARABIA, BAHRAIN, WASHINGTON-DC, MALAYSIA, ITALY, EGYPT, NEW ZEALAND, IRELAND, CHINA, INDIA, PAKISTAN, KUWAIT, DUBAI, THE UNITED KINGDOM, MISSOURI-USA, SAN FRANCISCO-USA, AND MARYLAND-USA, IN ADDITION TO BEING POSTED IN NUMEROUS WEB FORUMS AND BLOGS
To date there are over 1,000 petition signatures representing the collective consciousness of people from
40 Countries, 56 Foreign Cities, 21 U.S. States, and 45 U.S. Cities
(Complete listing at bottom of page.)
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"The whole world is looking for humaneness. Anybody who works for faith,
nation and moral values will never be a loser."
~Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah,
addressing attendees of the National Heritage and Culture Festival at Janadriya
PUBLICATIONS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER FROM MOST RECENT
January 20, 2008
Forced Divorce Keeps Al-Timani Couple Apart
Associated Press
By Donna Abu-Nasr
July 3, 2007
Forcibly Divorced Husband Made to Sign Gag Order
Arab News
By Ebtihal Mubarak
April 27, 2007
Inquiry and Analysis
The Middle East Media Research Institute
By Y. Admon
April 18, 2007
Fatima Shifted to Shelter Home
Arab News
By Ebtihal Muarak
April 7, 2007
Letter to the Editor; Wall Street Journal
Re: "A Whiff of Change"
By Aishah Schwartz
April 4, 2007
The Fate of Our Protected Women
The Middle East Times
By Nimah Nawwab
March 31, 2007
Arab News
By Tariq A. Al-Maeena - (Reaffirms Need for Guardianship Reform)
March 30, 2007
ABC News International
By Hala Abu Khatwa - (Refers to Al-Timani Case)
March 28, 2007
TV Show to Take Up Women's Rights
The Saudi Gazette
By Suzan Zawawi
March 27, 2007
Divorce a Labyrinth for Arab Wives
Middle East Times
By Dina Abdel Mageed - (Refers to Al-Timani Case)
March 23, 2007
Women's Inheritance: When Protectors Become Abusers
Arab News
By Razan Baker - (Reaffirms Need for Guardianship Reform)
March 12, 2007
Muslimah Writers Alliance Petition Exceeds 1,000 Signatures in Support of Guardianship Reform in Saudi Arabia
MWANET - PRWEB 3/19/07 - Onlypunjab.com - Keralanext, India
March 12, 2007
Panel Formed to Look Into Forced Divorce Issue
The Saudi Gazette
By Suzan Zawawi
March 8, 2007
The Battle Has Been Longstanding and Continues
MWANET
March 6, 2007
To Advocate or Abdicate: Muslimah Writers Alliance Stands in Defense of Islam
MWANET - Naseeb Vibes (3/14/07)
By Aishah Schwartz
March 6, 2007
Support and Call for Fatwa from WISE
By Daanish Masood, Executive Coordinator, ASMA
By March 5, 2007
Women Seek King's Intervention in Fatima Case
Arab News
By: Ebtihal Mubarak
March 3, 3007
Tribe Forces Couple to Divorce
Arab News
By Maha Akeel
March 3, 2997
Arab News
By Tariq A. Al-Maeena
March 2, 2007
The Saudi Gazette
By Suzan Zawawi
March 1, 2007
From Protection to Control: Who Guards the Guards?
Arab News
By Abeer Mishkhas
March 1, 2007
Justice Institute Dean Deplores Media Criticism of Court Rulings
Arab News
By Raid Qusti
February 27, 2007
Forced Divorce Now a Forum Issue
The Saudi Gazette
By Sabria S. Jawhar
February 27, 2007
Saudi Attorney in Al-Timani Forced Divorce Case Nominated to Receive Award
Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression
IndexOnline.org - Follow-Up 3/18/07
February 25, 2007
Why I Ruled for Rania's Divorce
Judge Sheikh Tuweijri Explains His Verdict
The Saudi Gazette
By Suzan Zawawi
February 23, 2007
The Saudi Gazette
By Suzan Zawawi
February 23, 2007
The Peace Reporter - Italy
By Naoki Tommasini
February 23, 2007
The Saudi Gazette
Suzan Zawawi
February 23, 2007
Flicker of Hope for Raina, Saud
The Saudi Gazette
By Suzan Zawawi
February 21, 2007
Fatima Ruling Condemned by Ex-Minister
The Arab News
By Maha Akeel
February 21, 2007
Fatima's Mother Speaks Out, Says Husband Hid Crucial Details
The Arab News
The depictions in this article wreak of the family trying to justify their actions, and purports to cast judgment in matters that only Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala can judge. And if Fatima is insistent that she wishes to remain with her husband - that speaks volumes all by itself. And if a woman's testimony, as depicted in this article, is suppose to hold so much weight, why is it that Fatima's testimony at her own divorce hearing - wherein she stated adamantly that she wished to remain with her husband - was counted as so little that she was ultimately separated from her husband anyway? And if her family is from a tribe of so much higher status than that of Mansour's why on earth would Fatima have ever have been forced to ask for zakat? Where was her family then?? And where are the macho men of the family now? Why aren't they being interviewed for stories like this? Why are they now using a woman as their spokesperson? It would appear that Fatima's suffering is merely a means to an end for a group of people with self-serving interests. Astifurgallah al-Azeem.
February 20, 2007
118 Women Sigh Petition in Fatima's Support
The Saudi Gazette
By Suzan Zawawi
February 19, 2007
Muslimah Writers Alliance Petitions King Abdullah to Stop Forced Divorces
Liberty Post (Westminister, MD)
By Aishah Schwartz
February 19, 2007
Protest Forced Divorce in Saudi Arabia
Iranian and Kurdish Women's Rights Organization/Amnesty International, UK
(they have also linked to this page)
February 19, 2007
Mother Rots in Saudi Jail as In-Laws Try to Force Divorce
Independent, UK article By Daniel Howden
Republished in The New Zealand Herald
also at MPACUK (and linked to this page)
February 17, 2007
Saudi Couple Victim of Rise in 'Forced Divorce'
The Independent, UK and Irish Independent, (Dublin, Ireland)
By Daniel Howden
February 16, 2007
Bahrain Tribune
February 16, 2007
Muslimah Writers Alliance Petition to End Forced Divorces in Saudi Arabia
Progressive Muslima News, Pro News NOW, Toplawyersnews.com
February 16, 2007
MWA Petitions King Abdullah to Stop Forced Divorces
International Campaign Against Honour Killings "ICAHK"
February 15, 2007
Appeals Court Ruling in Rania Case Postponed
Arab News
By Ebtihal Mubarak
"The appeals court postponement is actually a good sign," said the couple's lawyer Ibrahm Al-Bahri. "This is in our favor."
February 15, 2007
Muslimah Writers Alliance Joins in Petitioning Saudi Arabia for Reversal of Forced Divorces
WebIslam, The Huffington Post, Washington, DC
February 14, 2007
Muslimah Writers Alliance Petitions King Abdullah to Stop Forced Divorces
PRWeb
February 14, 2007
The Arab News
By Bashir Karyad
February 11, 2007
First Wedding Anniversary Behind Bars
Arab News
By Ebtihal Mubarak
February 9, 2007
Will King Abdullah Listen to this Couple?
The Brunei Times
By Aishah Schwartz
February 8, 2007
Saudi King Pressed Over Women's Marriage Rights
BigNews Network.com, Malaysia Sun, China National News
By Aishah Schwartz
February 8, 2007
Will Forced Divorce Become Rule-of-the-Day in Saudi Arabia?
King Abdullah petitioned to reverse precedent setting case threatening to send reform efforts for women on a backward trend
MWANET
By Aishah Schwartz
AS THE WATER BREACHES THE LEVY...PHASE II BEGINS
February 7, 2007
Parents' Greed Leads to Forced Divorce
The Arab News
By Ebithal Mubarak
February 7, 2007
An Avalanche of Support for Fatima
The Saudi Gazette
By Suzan Zawawi
February 6, 2007
Muslimah Writers Alliance Joins in Petitioning Saudi Arabia for For Reversal of Forced Divorce
The American Muslim (TAM)
By Aishah Schwartz
February 6, 2007
Fatima Case Verdict Opens Doors to More Forced Divorces
The Arab News
By Ebtihal Mubarak
February 6, 2007
Saudi Women Petition King to Annul Forced Divorce
Middle East Times - Egypt
The Raw Story, Washington-DC, ScienceDaily (MD)
(UPI)
February 5, 2007
MWANET
February 5, 2007
Saudi Women Send Petition to King Abdullah
United Press International - (UPI)
DailyIndia.com, ImediNews, EarthTimes.org, The Washington Times,
February 5, 2007
Saudi Women Send Petition to King Abdullah
The Post Chronicle
By Staff
February 5, 2007
Forced Divorces: Saudi Women to Appeal to King
Khaleej Times Online
February 5,
2007
Group
Interest Prevails Over Individual Tragedy
The Saudi
Gazette
By Suzan Zawawi
February 4, 2007
Divorced Couple's Lawyer to Appeal to Royal Court
The Saudi Gazette
By Suzan Zawawi
February 4, 2007
Women
Seek King's Intervention in Fatima Case
The Arab News
By Ebithal
Mubarak
February 2, 2007
The Arab News
By Lubna Hussain
February 1, 2007
Fatima's
Lawyer Wants Her in Women's Shelter
The Arab News
By Ebithal
Mubarak
February 1, 2007
Husband
Wants Wife; Won't Accept Court's Ruling
The Saudi
Gazette
By Suzan Zawawi
January 31, 2007
The Saudi
Gazette
By Suzan Zawawi
January 29, 2007
Saudi's 'Inappropriate lineage' Rule Grounds for Forced Divorce
The San Diego Union-Tribune
Reuters
January 29, 2006
The Saudi
Gazette
By Sabria S. Jawhar
January 29, 2007
Appeals
Court Upholds Ruling in Controversial Fatima Divorce Case
The Arab News
By Ebithal
Mubarak
January 28, 2007
Saudi Appeals
Court Upholds Enforced Divorce
Reuters
Life! - Yahoo! Canada News
December 25, 2006
Saudi
Lawyer Fights for Nation's Human Rights
Shariah Scholar Says Even Morals Police Not Above Law
San
Francisco Chronicle
Faiza Saleh Ambah, Washington Post
December 23, 2006
Saudi
Lawyer Takes on Religious Court System
The Washington
Post
By Faiza Saleh Ambah
December 21, 2006
The
Human and the Not So Human
The Arab News
By Abeer Mishkhas
December 20, 2006
Six
Month in Prison for Fatima and Child
The Arab
News
By Ebtihal Mubarak
November 23, 2006
Judge
in Controversial Divorce 'Absent for Nearly a Month'
The Arab News
By Ebtihal
Mubarak
November 22, 2006
Woman's Plea to King Over Forced Divorce
The Scotsman (UK)
November 21, 2006
Fatima
Speaks for the First Time: I Want to Go Back to My Husband
The Arab News
By Ebtihal
Mubarak
October 31, 2006
In
Saudi Arabia, Divorce Can Have Shocking Aspects
Khaleej
Times Online
From
Our Correspondent
September 21, 2006
Saga
of the Forcefully Divorced Couple
Okaz
By Rania Salamah
July 25, 2006
Kuwait
Times
ABOUT
THE LAWYER
The Arab
News
By Rasheed Abou-Alsamh and P.K. Abdul Ghafour
January 18,
2005
Charges Against Activist Revealed
The
Washington Times
By Rasheed Abou-Alsamh
Say 'No' To Forced Divorce - 'Yes' to Reforms
PETITION TO THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES, KING ABDULLAH BIN ABDUL AZIZ
Press Release - Feb. 5, 2007
Muslimah Writers Alliance Joins in Petitioning Saudi Arabia for Reversal of Forced Divorce
http://muslimahwritersalliance.com/mwa-community/support_elimination_of_gender_bias_ksa.htm
Press Release -
Muslimah Writers
http://prweb.com/releases/2007/2/prweb505146.htm
Say 'No' to Forced Divorce - 'Yes' to Reforms Online Petition Drive
http://www.petitiononline.com/no24orce/petition.html
Where to Sign Petition
http://www.petitiononline.com/no24orce/petition-sign.html
Chronological Log of Media Coverage/Take Action Page
http://muslimahwritersalliance.com/mwa-community/al-timani_case_chronology.htm
Result of September 2006 MWA Grand Mosque Equal Access for Women Petition
http://www.muslimahwritersalliance.com/MWA-GMEA4W/Press-Release2.html
Human Rights position statements made in the Kingdom's Memorandum to The General Secretariat of the Arab League* outlining its position for ABSTAINING from signing 'The International Human Rights Declaration' and the 'International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights'
http://www.saudiembassy.net/Issues/HRights/hr-memo.html
You will see from the highlighted and underscored excerpts of the Kingdom's Memorandum (see link below), that there are numerous statements that certainly appear to contradict what we see happening right now with the issue of forced divorce.
http://muslimahwritersalliance.com/files/saudi_human_rights_memo.htm
Send Letters and/or Faxes to:
The Ministry of the Interior
Responsible for all aspects of government related to security and the protection of human life and property.
The Ministry of the Interior has as a prime responsibility the maintenance of the Kingdom's laws, based on Islam.
His Royal Highness Prince Naif bin 'Abdul 'Aziz Al-Saud
Minister of the Interior
P.O. Box 2933 Airport Road
Riyadh 11134
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Fax: + 966 1 403 1185
Salutation: Your Royal Highness
The Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for the administration of Shari'ah Law and the provision of legal services for all Saudi citizens.
University Street, Riyadh 11137
Tel: +966 405 7777 / 405 5399
Call for fax number
HOW TO CONTACT THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
(The website is in Arabic - the instructions below are for non-Arabic readers/writers)
The Ministry of Justice website is in Arabic, so in order to facilitate those who wish to contact the Ministry of Justice who only speak and/or read English, I provide the following:
Go to the contact page on their website:
http://www.moj.gov.sa/layout/contactUS.asp
The first field is a drop-down menu offering recipient options.
Option 1: Minister of Justice
Option 2: Vice President of the Ministry of Justice
Option 3: Director of the Department of Lawyers
The second field is for entering your message.
The third field is for entering your name.
The fourth, and last field, is for entering your email address.
Additional information may be available on the Ministry of Justice's Website (in Arabic only).
http://www.moj.gov.sa/layout/default.asp