Hope Continues For Widow To Keep Her Children

After several court rulings, starting in 1998, a widow in Jordan was ordered in January 2003 by the Supreme Court to turn custody of her children over to her estranged brother in order that they may be raised as Muslims. She was given five days to do so or face prison (see https://www.vomcanada.com/jo-2003-09-19.htm for more details). The Voice of the Martyrs has been following this story for several months and received an update on July 22 from Middle East Concern, outlining new hope that Siham Qandah may be able to keep her children.

Prince Hassan, brother of the late King Hussein, has taken particularly interest in her case and appointed his lawyer to represent her. According to MEC, she has received assurances from the prince that he will not allow her to go to prison.

There have been complications in the appeals filed by Qandah due to family connections between the lawyer appointed by the prince and the Supreme Court judge who allowed her brother to withdraw funds from the estate. To avoid offending the prince or his lawyer, Qandah's appeal will shift from her brother's fraudulent use of the estate's money to an emphasis on his lack of concern for the children.

It is also possible that the children may start their own court case, asserting the fact that they do not want their uncle to be their legal guardian. Under Sharia law, they are now old enough to do so.

Siham is thankful to still have custody of her children, Rawan (15) and Fadi (13), despite the January court order. Continue to pray that she will be able to keep her children and that the brother will be removed as guardian.

Jordan Information

  • Country Information

    Population
    11,086,716 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Jordanian (69.3), Syrian (13.3), Palestinian (6.7), Egyptian (6.7), Iraqi (1.4), Other (2.6)

    Religion (%)
    Muslim (97.1), Christian (2.1), Buddhist (0.4), Hindu (0.1), Jewish (<.1), Other (0.3)

    Leader
    King Abdallah II (1999)

    Government type
    Parliamentary constitutional monarchy

    Legal system
    Mixed system developed from codes instituted by the Ottoman Empire (based on French law), British common law, and Islamic law

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Jordan

    Pray that Christians who face opposition from those around them will remain faithful to Christ.

    Pray that the Jordanian government will recognize the religious rights of all citizens.

    Ask God to bring forth more church leaders and other servants of the Lord in Jordan to continue His work in the nation (Matthew 9:36-38).

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Jordan News

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