JEDDAH — The criminal court in Jeddah is looking into disobedience suits filed by two women against their children. The first hearing in the cases was held on Tuesday. A source said an elderly mother filed a lawsuit against her daughter, aged 40, claiming that she had verbally abused her in front of her grandchildren. "The court held a hearing and tried to reconcile between the mother and daughter but the mother was adamant that her daughter deserved punishment for showering her with abuse," said the source. The daughter, however, denied her mother's allegations but said there had been feuds between her children and her brother's children, said the source. The source said another woman filed a lawsuit against her 24-year-old son, claiming that he did not listen to her and respect her, and that he had spit on her. "The judge looked into the case and concluded that the mother had tried to reconcile with her son but to no avail. The judge ordered to arrest the son and to keep him in custody until a verdict is issued in the case. The court had previously sentenced the man for disobeying his father and verbally abusing him," said the source. The source added the judge had sentenced the man to imprisonment and 300 lashes after he was convicted of the charges against him. The court sent another man to prison for disobeying his father. "The judge sentenced the man to imprisonment until his father forgives him," said the source. Sheikh Turki Al-Qarni, a former judge, said the disobedience to parents was one of the biggest crimes in society. "Sons may face harsh punishment if their parents filed a disobedience lawsuit against them. The sentence can be either imprisonment or lashing or both. Some judges may give alternative punishments such as community service but it is to be remembered that the greatest punishment for filial ingratitude will be in the hereafter," said Al-Qarni. He added the main reasons leading to cases of parental disobedience is the weakness of faith and dysfunctional families. "Other reasons leading to filial ingratitude include unjust treatment of his children by the father, being a hypocritical role model as a parent and being a drug addict. Judges always try to reconcile between parents and their children in disobedience lawsuits. Most of the cases end up with the parent withdrawing the lawsuit and forgiving the son or daughter after they are sentenced," said Al-Qarni. He added most of the cases are usually against sons more than they are against daughters. "Women are generally more compassionate and forgiving than men. When daughters disobey their parents it may be because the parents have marginalized them or prevented them from getting married," said Al-Qarni.
