Select Headlines From Our Allies in the Middle East

Saudi polygamy journos on blasphemy trial

Egyptian authorities are looking into possible blasphemy charges against two journalists over an article that called for a religious edict to allow female polygamy, UAE daily Gulf News reported on Tuesday... [they have] caused outrage after writing that if Muslim men are allowed four wives then women should be allowed four husbands as well, Gulf News reported... A member of the Egyptian parliament has filed a lawsuit over an article and some clerics called it provocative and anti-Islamic, according to the BBC.

Saudi sex bragger sentenced to 5-yrs in jail

A Saudi man whose televised boasts about his sex life outraged the country's conservatives was sentenced to five years in jail and 1,000 lashes on Wednesday, his lawyer said... Mazen Abdul Jawad, a 32-year-old airline sales clerk, was convicted by a Jeddah court on Sharia law-based charges relating to immoral behaviour... Three friends who appeared on the show with him were given two-year terms and 300 lashes each, while a cameraman who helped film the episode was sentenced to two months in jail.

Bahrain group calls for 'Koranic' divorce

A Bahrain group is calling for reforms to ensure that divorced women in the country get alimony, rightful custody of their children and a roof over their heads without agonising court battles... The association will highlight the Koranic concept of divorce later this week at a seminar that aims to bridge the gap between between law and reality in divorce cases and find solutions to practices that oppress women.