Having been born in Qatar, a common question I get from expats when they first come to the country is whether we really have arranged marriages, followed by a look of sympathy. There is a misconception that people here are forced into marriages and that they do not get to know their spouses prior to the wedding night.

I just want to clarify that no, this is not the case. It is true that the more conservative families have a more "traditional" approach to marriage, where the man and woman are introduced to each other by family members or acquaintances. They then get to know each other with the presence of a chaperone. However, both the bride and the groom must say yes, when moving forward with the engagement and cannot be forced into the marriage as that is un-Islamic behavior.

 Photo credit: http://archive.siasat.com

Yes, it may not be the fairytale love story we see in the movies but it has been proven successful in creating a solid and happy foundation for many families. It also does not mean that love is out of the question. Just because the meeting between the couple is planned, it can still be a magical experience for the bride and groom while following Islamic rulings on marriage.

Traditional marriages may not be for everyone but they are not as dramatic and unjust as they have been portrayed in the west or the media. Of course, there are exceptions everywhere and in every culture, but they should not be made to seem like the norm.

Photo credit: http://masjidhamza.com