Bravo Lina!

Submitted by Isis (Australia), Dec 7, 2008 at 07:23

Thanks for the intelligent breath of fresh air Lina. I agree with every word.

Regarding my own situation with my Egyptian man - I first traveled to Egypt over 4 yrs ago certainly not looking to meet any Egyptian man - it couldn't have been further from my mind. I was there to have a fabulous holiday under the guidance of a close friend who was a seasoned traveler of Egypt. Over the time of her many visits to Egypt had made a great number of friends there and my man was actually one of her friends. We met at a dinner and started talking and even then a relationship with him was the furtherest thing from my mind. When I came home we continued to email and send SMS msgs and the occasional phone call but definately we were still only friends. I returned to Egypt a year later with a different group of friends and our friendship blossomed. I returned to Egypt a few months later just to see if there was anything more in this friendship and there was. First and foremost we are great friends and then we are great partners. We now have a combined business interest which spans both countries and his friends are my friends and I have continued to visit and on occasions taken other friends of mine who have certainly given him their approval (not that I was seeking it). So you see my man and Egypt has become a huge part of my life and I have certainly not rushed headlong into this relationship with out being cautious and well informed.

I have researched Islam and spoken to people in Egypt about Islam even getting answers to some of my questions from my man's Imam. I am intrigued by the woman's role in Islam and how over the centuries they have become immersed in this submissive role as dictated n the Koran. I am also interested in the role that Islam plays in Egyptian politics - they are now more conservative than they were 50 years ago. I am also interested in the fascination that women have in meeting men from the middle east over the internet. I met my man in person and still had many concerns about the relationship, the distance between us, financing my travel and my understanding of Islam to name a few. I am in amazement at how women can expect all this to be solved , comprehended and accepted over the internet with someone you have not had face to face dealings with. It is beyond me!

I am by nature, a conservative and careful person so I have not jumped into this relationship without considerable thought - weighing up all the pros and cons, researching and hands on experience beyond the tourist tracks. Unanswered questions and seeking other's experiences with middle eastern men are what brought me to this site.With all this considered, I do take exception to someone second guessing me and continually questioning my integrity, intelligence and motives.

All in all, I have had and continue to have involvement with an interracial relationship and friendships, Islam and Egyptian and middle eastern culture. I am not angry, bitter or carrying baggage from past relationships which could impair my judgement. On the other hand I have also been not so fortunate, to witness the distress, heartbreak and fall out caused by not so honest interracial relationships when they have eventually failed. Sadder still when children are involved.

Knowledge is one thing but experience counts for more.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".