Muslim Cleric: Divorcing wives OK; 'What are we, Christians?'

Egyptian Cleric Hassan Abu Al-Ashbal: It Is Okay to Divorce Your Wife Just Like It Is Okay to Get Rid of an Animal that Drives You Nuts

Following is an excerpt from a TV program hosted by Egyptian cleric Hassan Abu Al-Ashbal, which aired on Al-Nas TV on December 25, 2008.

Hassan Abu Al-Ashbal: What's the point of having an animal you can ride, if it drives you nuts? The distance it takes you – you could cover in a bus for a quarter of an Egyptian pound, but you have to spend 100 pounds on this animal. Sell it, and get rid of it. Would anyone blame you for selling it? Would anyone say: "Shame on him for selling it"? It's only an animal.

If a man is completely fed up with his apartment, because he has bad neighbors, and the apartment is falling apart – would anyone blame him for selling it, and say: "Shame on you, how can you sell it? This is where you were born and raised." This apartment does not suit him anymore. I have bad neighbors, and I don't feel good in it.

The same goes for the woman. If a woman has such bad character that her husband does not feel comfortable with her, there is nothing to prevent him from divorcing her. What are we, Christians?!