Male relatives do not hesitate in shunning any female family members once they have gone to prison. On the other hand, women are usually more courageous and will marry a man who is or was in prison.

However, Fahd Al-Juhani, a well-off man already married to three women and the father of children, is an exception. He decided to marry a prisoner. He took this courageous step to rehabilitate her and get her back on the right track.

Speaking to the local media, he asked: “Why don’t we open the doors to women who repent and give them a chance to start a new life? Why do we forgive men who make mistakes but not women?“

He said these questions prompted him to ask scholars and religious men if he could marry a woman prisoner. They encouraged him and helped him to establish a society that takes care of released women prisoners.

“I am already talking to officials at the Ministry of Social Affairs about helping me marry a woman who is about to be released from prison,” he said.

Ziad Saad Al-Maawi, an authorized person who solemnizes marriage, said: “If the released woman expresses real regret and repentance, why not help her to start a new life? In our society, many men want a decent and straight life for their daughters who have made mistakes and he may ask a young man to marry her.”

He cited two instances in which he married couples who were both prisoners.

Omar Zuhair Hafez of the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) said once the woman completed her prison term she should not be judged again as a prisoner. “She should enjoy the rights that are granted to her under Islam. She must go back to her normal life, meet her responsibilities toward her community and enjoy her lawful rights,” he said.

Faisal Awad, a Shariah expert, said any person, man or woman, who had paid the price for his or her mistakes should receive just treatment.

“Once the price is paid, the person must be rehabilitated to be a productive citizen of society. But some families practice their own rules against their female members and turn the punishment into a never-ending one. Shariah does not forbid marriages after the implementation of the punishment or after repentance,” he explained.

Fahd Al-Zaayedi, who leads prayers at Abdul Rahman bin Auf Mosque in Jeddah, agrees with Awad.

“One should look with an eye of mercy on whoever committed mistakes against himself, his religion and society,” he said. “A Muslim society must take care of its Islamic sisters and daughters who in the past made mistakes but have now paid the price and repented. If they do not find good care and attention, they will be desperate and distressed. They might make a mistake again unless we help them build a good future, a family and hope for a better tomorrow.”

A female prisoner said she had not found anybody to take care of her when she was out of prison. “I was always met with doubt and suspicion in the community,” she said. She said other girls were also victims, and they returned to the same path which had landed them in prison. “As for me, I am waiting for the chance for a better life. I want to build a happy family and be a responsible person,” she added.

Nisreen Abu Taha, a social researcher and head of public relations at the ministry’s social protection unit in Makkah, confirmed that the unit received many applications asking to marry released women prisoners who reside in their shelter. The women are there because their parents refused to take them back home.

“Since the establishment of the unit three years ago, I have witnessed three marriages of ex-prisoners who now lead stable, happy lives. Usually, the parents refuse to approve the marriage so the issue is referred to the governor who takes the necessary steps to allow the marriage,” she said.

Explaining how a man could marry a woman in the shelter, she said: “The man should be financially able and then there is the personal interview which involves submitting a recommendation from the neighborhood chief and those who know him well. The wedding ceremony is held inside the shelter with the attendance of the chairperson and social workers. It is on rare occasions that the parents of the woman attend the ceremony.”