he daughter of Dubai’s ruler has apparently divorced her husband, according to a mysterious announcement made on her Instagram page. Sheikha Mahrah bint Mohammed Al Maktoum, 30, is one of the youngest daughters of Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who also serves as the vice-president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). There are six royal families in the UAE but the Maktoum house is one of the most high-profile as Dubai has grown into a global city.
Sheikha Mahrah’s verified Instagram account claims that her husband has been “occupied with other companions.”
“I hereby declare our divorce. I divorce you, I divorce you, and I Divorce You. Take care. Your ex-wife,” the post reads.
Sheikha Mahrah appears to be invoking a controversial Islamic custom known as triple talaq, in which a spouse can instantly divorce their partner by declaring it three times. The practice is banned in many countries, where lawmakers argued it was discriminatory towards women. Opponents of the ban say it unfairly targets Muslims.
Typically, it is husbands who invoke the triple talaq to divorce their wives. Its use by Sheikha Mahrah may provoke debate among Islamic jurists as to its legitimacy.
Sheikha Mahrah married Sheikh Mana Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, who is also a member of the Dubai royal family, in 2023. Shortly after, Sheikha Mahrah gave birth to their daughter, who was born in May this year.