‘I Divorce You’: Dubai Princess’s Instagram Declaration Defies Custom

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Introduction to Islamic Marriage and Divorce Traditions

To understand the story, we need to understand the cultural context of this groundbreaking Instagram post.

In the UAE, Muslim couples follow Islamic law for marriage and divorce. Under sharia law, women typically receive a dowry, known as mahr, from their husband or his family when they marry. This dowry symbolizes respect and financial responsibility. If a woman returns the mahr, she can legally obtain a separation, known as khula. Non-Muslim couples from other countries can choose to get a divorce under their home country’s laws or ask the UAE courts to apply these laws to their divorce proceedings.

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