RIYADH, 13 January 2008 — The divorce rate in Saudi Arabia has reached more than 30 percent of the total number of marriages in the year, the Ministry of Social Affairs announced yesterday.
In a move aimed at focusing on the alarming number of divorces in Saudi Arabia, the ministry, upon receiving directives from Minister of Social Affairs Abdul Muhsin Al-Akkas, will sponsor the first symposium to discuss the problem at national level.
Entitled “Divorce in Saudi Society,” the symposium will be held at the Prince Salman Social Center in Riyadh. A panel of sociologists, psychologists, and religious scholars will discuss the topic, particularly its effects on society as well as its psychological and religious aspects.
“The purpose behind a symposium of this kind is to create awareness. We intend to look at the problem from all angles and discuss the reasons for it,” Deputy Minister for Social Development Dr. Awad Al-Radadi said. “Hopefully, solutions to curb the increase in divorce will be provided,” he said.
