What happened to Jacqueline Pascarl has happened to many, many other women in Western countries. See, for example, Patricia Roush’s harrowing memoir, At Any Price. This is a function of Islamic marriage law, which grants few rights to women and doesn’t treat them well after divorce either. And because it is involved in religious principles, Western governments have been reluctant to do anything about it. “Gillespie stays mum on daughter’s visit,” from AAP, with thanks to Cathy:
The woman at the centre of one of Australia’s most notorious custody battles says she is “joyful” at being reunited with the daughter taken from her 14 years ago.
Jacqueline Gillespie, had her two children, Shahirah and Iddin, snatched away by their father, Malaysian prince, Raja Bahrin, in 1992.
But Shahirah, now 21, returned to Melbourne at the weekend to join her mother at the Hawthorn home she shares with her new husband Bill Cocaris.
Reading a statement outside their home, Mr Cocaris said his wife, now known by her maiden name of Jacqueline Pascarl, wished to thank the media and others who had supported her.
“Jacqueline Pascarl and her daughter Shahirah would like to express their appreciation for your good wishes and support….”
Ms Pascarl married Raja Bahrin in 1980, and they had two children who were born in Malaysia.
She returned to Australia with the children after the prince took a second wife under Islamic law, but in 1992 he smuggled the children out of Australia during an access visit.
The case became one of the most high-profile custody battles in Australian history, adding to what was then a strained relationship between Australia and Malaysia as federal authorities tried unsuccessfully to return the children to Australia.