Woman seeks help from HPRF after husband flees to Gulf with minor children

Mangaluru: A Muslim woman has sought help from Human Rights Protection Foundation (HRPF) to help gain possession of her two children who she claims to have been ‘abducted’ by her husband.

The woman, Rishana Nilofer a resident of Ullal had recently given birth to her third child following which her husband, Shanib who is employed in the Gulf had arrived at his native on September 8, 2018.

Merely 10 days later i.e on September 18 evening Shanib stepped out of their home with the couple’s two minor children and is said to have taken them to Abu Dhabi on a night flight. After landing at Abu Dhabi, at around 10 pm, he contacted his worried wife and informed that the children were with him and kept giving her regular updates on them for the next two days. Later, however, he stopped all kinds of communication with Rishana who after exploring other options finally approached HPRF on October 1 with her new-born baby, informed HRPF president Dr Ravindranath Shanbhag.

Since Rishana was having suicidal thoughts, on being separated from her children, HPRF initially counselled her and guided her to the nearest Jamaat hoping that the dispute would be resolved amicably.

Rishana and Shakib had entered into wedlock around 8 years ago in the presence of their family members and seniors of the Jamaath. A dowry of 130 gold sovereigns and a flat had been handed over to the Shanib’s family at the time of marriage. However Rishana was often ill-treated by her husband and mother-in-law for not being`well qualified, said Shanbhag.

Though two months have passed since her two children were abducted by her husband, the elders in the community or social organisations have failed to pursue or force Shanib to hand over the children to Rishana which is a violation under Sunni sect. A Committee of Advocates from the HRPF had declared in their detailed report that as per the Muslim Sunni sect, a girl child should be in the custody of her mother until she attains puberty and a boy child until he attains the age of 7.

Meanwhile, several Muslim social organisations have extended their moral support to Rishana. Samman Counselling Centre contacted Kannadigas in Abu Dhabi, who have promised to resolve the issue. 

The police had also failed to take any action. The HRPF has also submitted a detailed report to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. With no communication from Rishana’s husband and his family members, the HRPF has now decided to file a case to ensure that courts come to the rescue of Rishana.