Sharia law values the paternal relatives as custodial adults more than the actual mother.
I don't get that.

I just did a bunch of online research into Sharia rulings on custody arrangements. I wish someone could explain this stuff to me, the thinking that went into these rulings and laws.

Why, for example, does a mother forfeit custody of her kids if she remarries, but the father does not? Upon what (other than blatant sexual discrimination) is that based? Is there any factual evidence behind it at all?

Honest to God, this whole situation is perhaps the most effective promotional poster one could think of for why western women should NOT date (let alone marry or procreate with) Muslim Arab men.

"Marriage is a wonderful institution...but who wants to live in an institution?" -- Groucho Marx