Divorce is a serious issue in our society as it affects individuals, the most elementary units of society. Whether it is a man or woman, human beings build nations and civilisations.
Although Qatar is one of the world’s less populous countries, its divorce rate is one of the highest.
It is a very dangerous phenomenon for the society if the divorce rate reaches as high as 50 percent of all marriages. Such a high rate makes one wonder how is ours a conservative Muslim society?
The government has set up several institutions to help families and promote social cohesion.
Where are those who enthusiastically attend conferences and workshops on social cohesion? Are they keen only on taking part in these conferences, without trying to uproot the problem?
Divorce is legitimate in Islam, but it is the most despised of all legitimate things, according to the Holy Quran. In his farewell sermon, Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) made it clear that Islam maintains strong family ties.
Social workers in the courts know how easy it has become to utter the word divorce. Divorce stories abound in this country, and most of us are familiar with them. Unfortunately, divorce is taking place for trivial reasons, and children pay the price as they grow up suffering great hardship.
The country’s media and various organisations focus on international issues rather than our children. Compatibility with international law rather than safeguarding the society has become the government’s priority.
For how long will we keep silent? What is wrong with the courts, the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, and the Shura Council? How come they all have failed to address this issue?
There are many institutions working in this area that are staffed with people who draw salaries, attend conferences and travel. But to no avail. Why? The answer is that they are lacking in their intentions.
Facilitating divorce is a key issue that needs to be scrutinised. Who could have imagined that ‘khula’ (a woman divorcing her husband) would one day be easier than helping a maid depart? One-third of Qatari women are divorced. Most divorce cases are the result of lack of reason and faith.
An educated woman can fend for herself. But is money the only thing that matters? This is an issue that affects the coming generations and something that we will have to account for before Allah.
The state, with all its legislative, administrative and technical agencies, as well as non-governmental organisations should join forces to put an end to this scourge afflicting our society and religion.
It is not a matter to be addressed by preaching on television. A strategy has to be developed and laws strictly enforced to combat the increasing trend of divorce. We have had enough of theorising.
