Subjugation of women continues in Saudi Arabia

Strong protests against the marriage of a 60 year old man with an eight year old girl has had little effect on the judges in the court in Uniaza, Saudi Arabia. The only respite they gave was that the marriage could be upheld only on a condition that the groom does not have sex with the girl until she reaches puberty. The Unaiza case was brought by the eight-year-old girl's mother who wanted the marriage to be annulled. When confronted with the issue of women's plight in Muslim countries, Muslim apologists insist that their religion has been misunderstood and that Islam actually grants women certain rights. They blame tradition and tribal societies for the low status and oppression of women. Under Shari'a - Islamic law - a man can marry up to four wives. He can divorce his wife or wives by saying “I divorce you” three times. For a wife to obtain a divorce is usually very difficult. Muslim apologists claim that Muslim women have the right to divorce and that in Islam the mother is revered and respected. Upon divorce, fathers win custody of boys over the age of six and girls on the onset of puberty. Many women would be reluctant to divorce violent or polygynous husbands for fear of losing their children. Despite the exaltation of motherhood - Mohammed once told a follower that paradise is found at the feet of the mother - children are considered the property of the father with the mother being merely the caretaker. How is it possible for a Muslim man to respect his mother when immutable religious law proclaims women's inferiority and inadequacy?