marriage has everything to do with "nationalities"--well

Submitted by BellaVida (United States), Dec 24, 2006 at 05:42

marriage has everything to do with nationalities.......a nationality (A people having common origins or traditions and often constituting a nation.)....You (Mrs lewis) state "it ( america and Saudi) are completely different because of the differences in religions. So I think one should be rational enough when he or she wants to get married. American muslim women can get married to a Saudi guy and there will be no problem because she herself will follow Islam and its instructions." a religion and a culture are different...

I am with a man from Saudi ...i know if i am to become a practicing muslim in America it will be very different than a practicing muslim in Saudi( see article http://www.meforum.org/article/520) I have to agree with a statement from linzi in her article(http://www.danielpipes.org/comments/69232)

"The western world, sorry to say, but especially Amrerica is too open. I like Islamic culture as it is a decent way of living, its also a decent environment to raise children. Who wants their kids brought up amongst drink and drugs, although it is not always this way." It is beyond religion it is culture that is important...for instance the arabic culutre is a high context, collectivist culture were in group out group experiences are very important....my actions, my dress, my talk, does not just reflect upon me but on my future husband and his family---which has nothing to do with religion but Culture....

As americans we have a "bubble distance" in which to stand...go ahead Mrs Lewis try it...approach an acquaintance then take a step closer to him/her she will step back...as a society we have programmed how far/close we should stand to friends, family, aquantances......now observe two arabic men...they stand much closer..in fact two men who just met will hug each other...which most americans would assume as "gay".....also, we are a individualist society, people are expected to be self-reliant and independent, and to focus primarily on caring for themselves and their immediate families.

In cultures that are highly collectivist, people are expected to serve the groups to which they belong. Also, american culture believes muslim christian jew whatever you are .....men and women should have the opportunity to the same jobs...woman should be able to be police officers ect.... I may be 20, and thus you may view me too young to make such brazen statements, but my experiences have been rich and fulfilling ..... Being a muslim in the united states, and being a muslim who was raised in the usa then moving to a country such as saudi arabia and to enmesh into their culture...... I can see why many american women ---even if muslim-- find it difficult or impossible....inshallah my experience will prove to be successful

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