Saudi Gazette report



RIYADH — The Saudi Charitable Society for the Welfare of Saudi Families Abroad (Awaser) has warned citizens traveling abroad against brokers of temporary marriages who may be waiting for them at the airports.



"The Saudi and GCC travelers should be watchful for the advocates of temporary marriages who are stationed at a number of European and Asian airports," the society's chairman Tawfiq Al-Suwailem told Al-Hayat newspaper.



He said the number of such brokers increases, especially during the school summer vacations.



"We are making efforts to protect Saudi citizens against falling prey to these incorrect types of marriages promoted by these brokers," he added.



Al-Suwailem warned temporary marriages would have many negative effects, including the possible refusal of Saudi fathers to look after any children they may produce as a result.



He pointed out that the society had detected a number of temporary marriages that took place during the school summer vacations.



"A large number of Saudis usually travel abroad during the school summer vacation," he said.



He said the society is continuing its operations aimed at looking for Saudi families stranded abroad to provide them with material and moral support.



He said: “We are determined to repatriate stranded Saudi families to their homes.



“We are also making efforts with Saudi fathers to recognize their children born as a result of the temporary marriages.”



The chairman revealed that teams from the society left for Jordan last week to review the conditions of Saudi families living there in addition to those who came to the country from Syria after the war.



The society is looking after 248 Saudi families in Jordan consisting of 774 members.



There were 283 Saudi families in Syria with 814 members.



Overall, the society is looking after 1,968 Saudi families consisting of 7,036 individuals in 31 countries around the world.



Al-Suwailem asked stranded Saudi families to contact the society on its website (www.awaser.org.sa) or on its free toll number, which is 920004949.