Dubai Princess Announces Divorce on Instagram

Princess Sheikh Mahara Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum, daughter of the ruler of Dubai, has announced her divorce from her husband Sheikh Man Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Bin Man Al Maktoum on Instagram. According to reports, Princess Sheikh Mahara posted a statement on July 16, addressing her husband and declaring their divorce. The post reads, “Dear husband, since you are busy with other partners, I hereby declare our divorce. I divorce you, I divorce you, and I divorce you. Take care… this is your ex-wife.”

The unusual announcement has sparked attention, as in Islamic law, instant divorce, known as “Talaq-e-Biddat”, is typically initiated by the husband pronouncing “talaq” three times. However, Princess Sheikh Mahara has taken a different approach, using the same three-fold declaration to effect the divorce.

The couple, who married in May 2023 and have a less than two-month-old baby girl, had reportedly been experiencing marital issues, with neither posting photos of each other on Instagram for some time. They have also unfollowed each other on the platform.

Sheikh Mahara’s decision to announce their divorce on social media has raised eyebrows, but also highlights the challenges faced by women in seeking a divorce under Islamic law. While men can initiate divorce through “talaq”, women typically must go through a different process called “khula” or seek legal recourse.

The high-profile divorce has drawn attention to the rights of women in the UAE and the use of social media as a platform for personal announcements. Princess Sheikh Mahara’s bold move has sparked a conversation about the evolving nature of divorce and the role of women in Islamic society.

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