Celebrity Jermaine Jackson's Wife Halmid Rashid Explains Reason for Divorce: 'Our Lives Would Be Better and More Productive If We Were Not Married' Jermaine Jackson and Halima Rashid are divorcing after nearly 12 years of marriage By Nicole Sands Nicole Sands Nicole Sands is a former editorial assistant at PEOPLE. She left PEOPLE in 2019. People Editorial Guidelines Published on June 24, 2016 06:15PM EDT Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Halima Rashid is speaking out about her decision to divorce Jermaine Jackson. “With a great amount of sorrow and regret, I today announce that I am filing for divorce from Jermaine Jackson,” she tells PEOPLE exclusively. “We have enjoyed many good times during our marriage of nearly 12 years, but we have reached a point where our lives would be better and more productive if we are not married. I respect and care for Jermaine and his legendary family, and feel blessed to have been a part of the Jacksons.” She continues, “At this time, I ask that our friends, family members and the media respect the difficulty of this decision and allow us privacy as we move on with our lives. Thank you very much.” Rashid, 46, filed court documents on Tuesday, citing irreconcilable differences, according to divorce papers obtained by PEOPLE. The pair wed in August 2004, and Rashid cites Nov. 28, 2015 as the date of separation. While the former couple does not have children together, Rashid is requesting spousal support. Jackson’s Twitter account has been silent since Wednesday. A rep for Jackson, 61, did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.