Misyar marriages are proving to be a double-edged sword for the landlords of furnished apartments in Riyadh. While the growing popularity of these marriages has helped furnished apartments in Riyadh become highly profitable, they have also generated considerable curiosity – and confusion – among their workers, who want to know more about this kind of marriage, the Arabic daily Al-Riyadh reported Friday. One employee at a furnished apartment building even coined a nickname for couples involved in these marriages: “quick visitors.” He said they usually only spend one day, or sometimes even just a few hours. When paper's reporter toured some furnished apartments to get acquainted with “Misyar marriage” guests, one of the officials said, “A Saudi man came to me to rent an apartment with a woman.” Said another receptionist of a furnished apartment building in Northern Riyadh. “His identification papers were all valid and legal, but several months later, the same man came with a different woman, so we refused to rent him an apartment.” Immediately, the snubbed man presented another marriage contract, said the receptionist. “Actually, only the woman's name was different, but the paperwork was again valid, so we had to provide him with accommodation.” He said he was surprised with the situation, but one of his coworkers told him this was a Misyar marriage. “It was the first time I heard about it,” he said, “so I started asking around until I understood it.” Another worker said his building receives at least one or two Misyar marriage guests every week, adding that they mostly come during weekends as well as during daytime. He said some of them leave at night, while others stay till the next morning. “The marriage contracts are valid to the extent that some of the wives present their identity cards instead of the family identity card,” he said. He added that some of the employees in furnished apartments justify the husband's not presenting the family identity card by saying he did not have sufficient time to include his new wife in the family identity card, or due to a prior intention for separation or due to fear of being discovered by his original wife. The furnished apartments of Northern Riyadh are the most popular for the Misyar couples. Their rates range between SR150 to SR300 per day, making them more appealing than hotel rooms.
