To becreative

Submitted by Isis (Australia), Feb 17, 2009 at 20:04

I realise that you indicated that you wanted to hear from Luigi but he has never been to Egypt and does not have an intimate knowledge of the people. I have spent a lot of time in Egypt and am married to an Egyptian and understand the way some of the "not so good" Egyptian men work, so I hope that you don't mind me commenting on your situation.

My initial reaction is that this man is looking to lure you into a relationship via your daughter. He possibly sees you as a rich westerner that can help him on the rung to a better life. You don't say how old he is but if he is anywhere near 30 I would suspect that he is already married. Muslim men don't have Muslim women as friends only through family and marriage but it is accceptable with the right conditions for them to have Western women as friends.

If you wish to return to Egypt and meet him again my advice is to have your wits about you and be sceptical about a relationship with him. Please be prepared and research Islam in Egypt, Egyptian culture and Egyptian family relationships.

Please also research Egyptian and Western relationships in Egypt and you will be made aware that a foreign woman cannot be alone with an Egyptian man in Egypt without being married either in a religious ceremony or a civil one. Egypt is governed by Islamic law and sexual relationships outside of marriage are not permitted. You are able to obtain a contract between you both called an "Orfi" or Urfi" paper which will be drawn up by lawyers which states that you have given the Egyptian man permission to be with you and that you have a relationship. It will also detail when and how you met , your religion, occupation and if you are single, married or divorced. Adultery is a severe crime in Egypt and even foreign women who are married and left their husbands at home are not immune to punishment under Egyptian law if they are in a relationship with an Egyptian man. This paper would be need to be carried even if you were sitting in a coffee shop or a restaurant as friends and even if you hadn't entered into a relationship. If your man is from Cairo, Luxor or Aswan, the police are particularly vigilant regarding this "paper". Not so much in Sharm , El Gouna or Dahab as foreign women and Egyptian men relationships are part of the scenery in these resort cities. Be also aware that Egyptian men are naturally sweet talkers and have a talent for flattery so you will need to see the man beyond this.

After consideration of all of the above if you still want to to return to Egypt to meet him on a more personal level then that is your choice but my instinct with this man from what you have written, is that he is on "the make".

Please be careful.

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