The Maryland Court of Appeals has ruled that Islamic divorce is not valid in the state.

The religious tradition, known as talaq, allows Muslim men to end their marriage by saying "I divorce thee" three times.

The court found that the custom lacks due process and violates the state constitution which provides equal rights for women and men The Washington Post reports.

Under Islamic law, the custom can be used only by the husband -- but he can grant his wife permission to use it.

"Talaq lacks any significant 'due process' for the wife, its use, moreover, directly deprives the wife of the 'due process' she is entitled to when she initiates divorce litigation in this state. The lack and deprivation of due process is itself contrary to this state's public policy," the court wrote.

The court's decision supports a 2007 ruling by the Court of Special Appeals which likewise states that talaq does not apply in  the Free State.

Source: The Washington Post, CBN News