I've learned a lot lately about marriage in the Arab world.
Marrying relatives is comely practiced.
The main reason is to keep the clan bloodlines pure.
Also, money matters.
If the family is wealthy, the desired outcome is to marry a relative to keep the money in the family.
There is little concern about the genetic Russian Roulette that is being played when cousins marry.
Muslim men are encouraged to marry Muslim women, but are allowed to marry anyone they choose. Muslim women can only marry Muslim men.
Muslim men can have up to four wives simultaneously. The only caveat is he must treat each wife equally. For example, if he buys a car for one, he must buy a comparable car for the other(s).
In many marriages, the man and woman don't know each other, and don't get to know each until after the marriage and public wedding ceremony. It's not uncommon for a man to propose to a woman at first sight.
The couple's families meet and agree to the terms of the marriage. The man is required to give money to the prospective bride and her family. He is also responsible for all the wedding expenses.
The man and woman go to the courthouse and get married by a legal representative, but they are forbidden from consummating the marriage or living together until they are presented publicly at the wedding ceremony. This wait can be days, weeks, months, or even years, depending on whether the man has to save up to raise the required funds. Divorces happen most often during this period.
Side note - The divorce rate here sits at about 46%. See the article link below. It is from 2005, but I think the info is still valid.
(http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2005/September/theuae_September502.xml§ion=theuae&col)
Side note 2 - A husband can divorce his wife by sending an SMS through a cell phone. Note the link below for more info.
http://www.international-divorce.com/uae_divorce.htm
The wedding ceremonies are lavish.
Thousands of people are invited for a sit down meal, featuring singers and dancers.
These receptions are separate for the men and women.
The ladies wear fabulous gowns, some quite revealing, but only other women will see them.
When the groom arrives (he and the brides' male relatives are the only men allowed in), the women cover up completely.
The bride and groom then parade on a t-shaped walkway very similar to a model's runway.
And then . . .
They live happily ever after.
The songs for today are not working on the widget. Not sure what the problem is. Hope they work in this format.
I did a Google search for Arab Wedding Songs, and these came up as most listened to on the playlist. I'm not sure if they are especially for weddings, but they sound very much like what was playing at the wedding I attended.
Marrying relatives is comely practiced.
The main reason is to keep the clan bloodlines pure.
Also, money matters.
If the family is wealthy, the desired outcome is to marry a relative to keep the money in the family.
There is little concern about the genetic Russian Roulette that is being played when cousins marry.
Muslim men are encouraged to marry Muslim women, but are allowed to marry anyone they choose. Muslim women can only marry Muslim men.
Muslim men can have up to four wives simultaneously. The only caveat is he must treat each wife equally. For example, if he buys a car for one, he must buy a comparable car for the other(s).
In many marriages, the man and woman don't know each other, and don't get to know each until after the marriage and public wedding ceremony. It's not uncommon for a man to propose to a woman at first sight.
The couple's families meet and agree to the terms of the marriage. The man is required to give money to the prospective bride and her family. He is also responsible for all the wedding expenses.
The man and woman go to the courthouse and get married by a legal representative, but they are forbidden from consummating the marriage or living together until they are presented publicly at the wedding ceremony. This wait can be days, weeks, months, or even years, depending on whether the man has to save up to raise the required funds. Divorces happen most often during this period.
Side note - The divorce rate here sits at about 46%. See the article link below. It is from 2005, but I think the info is still valid.
(http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2005/September/theuae_September502.xml§ion=theuae&col)
Side note 2 - A husband can divorce his wife by sending an SMS through a cell phone. Note the link below for more info.
http://www.international-divorce.com/uae_divorce.htm
The wedding ceremonies are lavish.
Thousands of people are invited for a sit down meal, featuring singers and dancers.
These receptions are separate for the men and women.
The ladies wear fabulous gowns, some quite revealing, but only other women will see them.
When the groom arrives (he and the brides' male relatives are the only men allowed in), the women cover up completely.
The bride and groom then parade on a t-shaped walkway very similar to a model's runway.
And then . . .
They live happily ever after.
The songs for today are not working on the widget. Not sure what the problem is. Hope they work in this format.
I did a Google search for Arab Wedding Songs, and these came up as most listened to on the playlist. I'm not sure if they are especially for weddings, but they sound very much like what was playing at the wedding I attended.
file:///Users/fayesharpe/Desktop/01%20Albi%20Albi.mp3
file:///Users/fayesharpe/Desktop/08%20saharounee%20ilail.mp3
file:///Users/fayesharpe/Desktop/14%20arabeasca-6.mp3
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