Manama: A newly married Saudi man gave his wife 20 days to learn how to cook if she wanted their marriage to continue.

The man reportedly was furious upon discovering that she had no clue about cooking and took her to her family in Taif region.

A source close to the woman’s family said the couple got married 20 days back and left immediately after the wedding ceremony for South East Asia to spend their honeymoon, Saudi news site Al Marsad reported.

Upon their return home, the husband was served traditional bread and peas and beans dishes for breakfast from a nearby restaurant on five consecutive mornings.

When he asked his wife about the reason for not using her kitchen to prepare breakfast, she told him that she did not know cooking.

He then took her to her family’s home and told them that he was giving her 20 days to learn cooking. He warned that he would file for divorce if she failed to acquire culinary skills, the source said.

Reactions on social media ranged from shocked outcry to full sympathy for the husband over his decision.

Those who supported him insisted that women should be able to take care of their home, including cooking, and assume domestic responsibilities.

They said that modern women were overly pampered and did not care about sacred family life.

The woman should at least have told him that she did not know cooking before they got married, they said.

Those who opposed him described him as an egoistic person who cared only about his needs.

“He should have shown more patience and compassion and helped her overcome the flaw if that is how he sees it,” Noor, an online user, said. “She has just been introduced into a married life and all matters have to be taken slowly and easily in order to overcome differences.”

Mohammad said the man should have been put to test after he made the demands.

“They should bring him a sheep and ask him to slaughter it,” he posted. “If he knows how to do it, then he has the right to ask his wife to cook for him. But if he does not, he should keep quiet and not make any demands from his wife.”