An "innocent'' and "spontaneous'' kiss made by a married woman to a baby camel did not please her mother-in-law, prompting the latter to pressure her son to file for a divorce.
The man's mother accused her daughter-in-law of violating religious and social norms when she kissed a camel while at her home in Saudi Arabia, Gulf News reported.
After the incident, the woman identified as "Sada" reportedly went back to live with her family. The next day she apologised to her husband who took her back, according to Fox News. When the mother started calling on her son again asking him to end his marriage with his wife, the man refused and went with his wife to live with her family. The incident prompted a massive family dispute.
Sada said the kiss was innocent and spontaneous and happened simply because she was happy at the animal's birth, but her mother-in-law viewed it as profane and sacrilegious. She said her mother-in-law was only angry because she had yet to give her a grandchild.
"I love my husband and want to be with him forever... but I am not ready to live with his mother again,'' a Saudi newspaper quoted Sada as saying.
The man has also refused his mother's wishes and believes his wife did nothing wrong, Gulf News said.
The couple said they wished to remain together, but that the in-laws are using the camel kiss as an excuse to attack her.
The woman expressed hope the dispute could be resolved so she could live in peace with her husband, reports said.
According to marriage laws in Saudi Arabia, a man can divorce his wife simply by saying "I divorce you" three times. He can rescind the divorce if this was done in the heat of the moment, but only if the wife agrees (and only on three occasions).
On the other hand, even if a wife has good reason to seek a divorce (e.g. if her husband has been unfaithful, abused or deserted her or engaged in criminal activity), she must go to a court for the case to be heard. The husband must maintain a divorced wife and any children from the marriage if the wife is unable to support herself. He can claim custody of any sons when they reach the age of 10.
