Dubai mum uses daughter to get more cash from dad

Sharjah - Her parents have been divorced for some time and Aisha is in her mother's custody.

The Sharjah Social Service Department on Wednesday realised the wish of a nine-year-old girl who wanted to see her father, even though the department came to know that she was not saying the truth at the behest of her mother.
Aisha - who underwent a heart surgery in England last year and will soon go for another to Germany - contacted Ajman radio Channel 4 to appeal to her father to come see her before she leaves. She claimed that she hasn't seen her father since she was born. Whenever she calls, he hangs up the phone, she said.
Her parents have been divorced for some time and Aisha is in her mother's custody.
Her appeal on the radio turned into a popular topic of discussion on social media, as she said she also wants him to buy her a business class ticket to go to Germany for treatment.
The department of social services and child protection stepped in to solve the girl's issue and launched an investigation which found that the father had, in fact, seen her daughter last year, and that he pays Dh600 a month in alimony and child support.
He has also rented a Dh55,000 house for Aisha and her mother and provided them with a 4W-Drive.
It was also revealed that the mother was forcing her daughter to lie on the radio, and that her father is a member of a high-profile family in Sharjah.
Afaf Al Meri, director-general of the Social Service Department said Aisha had fallen victim to a marital dispute, and that the mother used her to pressurise her father into paying more money.
"The mother's stress over the sickness of her daughter motivated her to force the little girl to say lies, without realising that she is doing harm to her daughter," he said, adding that such behaviour can cause psychological damage to the little girl and have a negative impact on her future.
"We contacted, the father arrived immediately. We made him spend some time with his daughter, who immediately admitted she was lying," he added.
"We also made an agreement between the parents to allow the father to see his daughter every week in the family meeting centre. Both parents love and care for the daughter and are ready to protect her."
The mother was advised not to use her daughter against her father and involve her in their quarrels. The department will continue to provide rehabilitation and social care until she is stable.
Al Meri, urged public to call child rescue unit at 800700 to report any kind of abuse against a child by his family or care taker or any one.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah
• Ajman