I find this story oddly satisfying as it reminds me of a traumatic childhood memory...

I was 11 or 12 and I went with my mother to a typical Arab wedding - and quite typically, a marriage that was totally arranged. But what was most unusual about this marriage was that the couple had not seen each other before and were meeting for the first time on that wedding night.

The groom was handsome and from a very wealthy Gulf family. The girl on the other hand was the well, quite the opposite...and unfortunately her family declined to share her photograph with the groom's family, on grounds of extreme modesty (this is contrary to Islam which clearly advocates the meeting of the couple before marriage).

I remember that it was a typical big wedding in a huge festive wedding hall packed with women talking, dancing, eating. Then came the announcement that the groom had arrived.

He walked into the hall with his male retinue, smartly dressed and smiling. But when he reached the stage and lifted the bride's veil he froze. His face registered unconcealed horror and the hall fell silent. The poor girl squirmed helplessly, trying to smile but was close to tears. I remember thinking that it was the most tragic thing I had ever seen. dresses for older brides

The groom tried to compose himself but just got up and walked out, leaving the girl shrivelled up on the sofa. The guests were aghast- it looked like a Shakespearean tragedy but it was all real.

A few days later we learned that the groom sent divorce papers to the girl's family. I inquired about the girl when I got older and learned that the girl never married and became a recluse, living with her mother all her life.

I talked to my mother a few times about this strange and unhappy incident and she told me that this was not uncommon in those days.

I know there are worst things in life but what happened to that girl was a defining moment that haunts me til this day and reminds me that we all have to do what we can to fight for women's rights.