In a rare and emotional case in Saudi Arabia, two brothers took themselves before a court—not over property or inheritance, but over who should have the honour of caring for their ageing mother.
The elder brother, Hizam Al-Ghamdi, insisted that he wanted to continue looking after their frail mother as he had done for years, telling the court that she was “his very life.” But his younger brother disagreed, arguing that Hizam was already advanced in age and needed rest, and that he was better positioned to take on the responsibility.
The dispute left the court in an emotional atmosphere as both men passionately pleaded for the right to care for their mother. Unable to decide, the presiding judge summoned the woman and asked her to make a choice.
Visibly moved, she told the court she could not choose between her sons, describing them as “her left and right eyes.”
With no clear preference from the mother, the judge delivered a ruling based on practical considerations, granting custody to the younger brother due to his relative youth and strength.
The judgment brought a moment of sorrow in the courtroom as Hizam broke down in tears—not out of anger, but from the pain of losing what he considered a cherished opportunity to continue serving his mother in her final years.
The unusual case has drawn attention for highlighting deep cultural values of parental care and family duty in the region.
