Dubai Ruler's Daughter Unprecedentedly Divorces Husband on Instagram

Sheikha Mahra, daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced her separation from her husband, a member of the royal family, on her Instagram account. Such an announcement on social media by a princess in the UAE is considered an unprecedented action. Mahra, 30, published a post on Instagram on Wednesday, July 18, stating: 'I hereby announce our divorce. I divorce you, I divorce you, and I divorce you. Be careful. Your former wife.' Based on the published text, it appears that Mahra has divorced her husband in the manner common in some Muslim countries known as 'triple talaq.' Typically, men initiate this form of divorce, and such an action by women is uncommon. This method is prohibited in some Muslim countries. Mahra married Sheikh Maan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, also a member of the ruling family of Dubai, in a grand ceremony last year. They shortly welcomed a daughter. Mahra has deleted all images of her husband from Instagram, and there are no pictures of Mahra on Maan's account either. Mahra, who reportedly has a Greek mother, is an active figure in Dubai's social circles and is considered a social media star. She has nearly half a million followers on Instagram, where she shares images of her leisure activities, entertainment, daily life, and humanitarian efforts. Some users on Instagram speculate that the announcement of the separation might be due to Mahra's account being hacked; however, this post remains on her page a day after its publication. The UAE government and Maan, Mahra's husband, have yet to comment on the matter. This report draws from CNN and People reports.