By GALAL FAKKAR | ARAB NEWS

JEDDAH: The Justice Ministry has warned those who deprive women of their right to inheritance that they could face imprisonment and other punishments.

The ministry made the call Sunday while launching its special “Mawarith” (inheritance) program on its website.

According to ministry sources, most inheritance disputes in the courts were related to men depriving their female relatives of their legal share. They said such disputes were more prominent in tribal societies. “Any woman deprived of her right to inheritance has the right to file a lawsuit in the courts,” president of the Jeddah General Court Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Qani said.

He said the judge would oblige the male inheritors to give women relatives their rightful share or face punitive action. read more