Princess of Dubai Sheikha Mahra Al Maktoum (commonly known as Princess Sheikha Mahra) recently made headlines when she took an audacious initiative of launching a perfume line named ‘Divorce’.
The princess apparently created a bizarre story of ‘independence and empowerment’ by venturing into the post-divorce business. The initiative is inspired by her own bitter experience of divorce, exuding odour rather than fragrance.
For the unversed, Sheikha Mahra is the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai.
Let’s delve into the deeper implications of Sheikha Mahra’s move to launch such an ‘odorous’ perfume. What does this mean for other women, particularly in the Middle East, and how does it challenge societal norms?
The princess, known for her strength and leadership, has used this perfume launch to not only introduce a new product but also tinker with the narrative around divorce in Dubai and beyond.
Divorce is the idea which usually guts women irrespective of religion, class and culture across globe.
The topic captured global attention and interest as the princess of Dubai created the perfume with a glorifying impression of a unique and empowering product meant to (ironically) celebrate the failure of marital life.
As evident by its name, the divorce-labelled perfume has been glorified as a symbol of ‘strength, independence and power’ to move on after a significant happening.
As a divorce apologist, Sheikha Mahra made waves with her appallingly bizarre move to celebrate her own divorce through launch of a fragrance line. If unpacked the symbolism behind the Divorce perfume, brought under the brand Mahra M1, it is not just like any other scent; it’s a statement with an undertone directed to other women, urging them to resort to breaking (free from) their marriage and celebrate their ‘independence’ without fear of judgement in the name of self-reclamation.
Disguising the divorce as a blessing, the Dubai princess has attempted to project it as the sole and foremost way out of a bane to boon by offering a sham sense of closure and confidence.
As a matter of fact, the controversial initiative has sparked conversations around the world, particularly in conservative societies where discussions about divorce, especially from a woman’s perspective, largely remain a taboo.
While filing for divorce by women (religious term ‘Khula’ in Islam) has witnessed an alarming surge worldwide, many women take pride in parting with their life partners as what they believe to be a salvaging step to wriggle out of torment of a turbulent union in marriage.
The divorced princess of Dubai seems to have set an example for vulnerable women to follow her suit by flaunting their divorce move through acrimonious gestures and bizarre manners.
From Islamic point of view, women shudder even at thinking of resorting to exercise of such a right, which Allah has detested the most.
The perfume launch was announced via a teaser video on her recent Instagram post, showing dramatic images of a broken glass, black flowers, and a black panther.
It is important to note that the perfume launch follows Sheikha Mahra’s split from husband and her public announcement of divorce on Instagram in a dramatic way some weeks back.
In May 2023, Sheikha Mahra married Sheikh Mana bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mana Al Maktoum, an Emirati businessman.
Sheikha Mahra wrote in an Instagram post in July this year.
“Dear husband, As you are occupied with other companions, I hereby declare our divorce. I divorce you, I divorce you, and I divorce you. Take care. Your ex-wife.”
And, this time round, taking to Instagram, the 30-year-old princess shared a teaser of the perfume, featuring a black bottle engraved with the word ‘Divorce.’
The teaser video shows dramatic images of broken glass, black flowers, and a black panther. The post was labelled “coming soon”.
The divorce came months after the couple were blessed with their first child – a girl in May this year.
The divorced princess not only launched a perfume but also a movement – one that celebrates broken marriages by women who readily choose to move forward while crumpling under their feet the sacred bond, leaving their hapless children in the throes of a split family.
Sheikha Mahra’s divorce perfume line has received widespread attention not only for its bold concept but also for the conversation it has ignited around women’s empowerment.
In societies where divorce is viewed as a bad omen for a family, this perfume is being projected as a breath of fresh air, symbolising resilience, strength, and beauty.
As the Dubai princess continues to push boundaries, her perfume line could pave the way for others to follow in celebrating divorce as a ‘ good omen’ for personal freedom and self-expression.
Sadly, this idea of expressing joy over end of a married life through divorce propelled by the dream of a ‘new begining’ is gradually catching on in many parts of the world thanks to these delusional divorcees who are actually sleepwalking into the zone of cataclysmic failure in life.
Such a Pakistani divorcee also came to light in July this year, who threw a ‘Divorce Party’ to celebrate her broken marriage in the US.
