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Arab Culture/Do opposites attract?
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Question
okay i have a weird question, but i am all american, and for some reason i seem to be attracted to some guys at school that is mideastern. i'm just wondering if they date people that are not of their kind? also i live on a hog farm so how would this go? would it be totally impossible to even think about dating them? thanks! p.s. i really dont know why but I seem to be attracted to different races.
Greetings Kitty, and thanks for your question. Perhaps the simplest explanation might be that "opposites attract." People are often attracted to other people who are different than themselves, whether it's a personality trait they don't have, or a different background growing up. This isn't true of everyone, but it is certainly true for many.
The guys at your school, depending on their personalities, or their parents' rules, or a variety of other factors, may or may not date women of other backgrounds. The best you can do is ask, and the worst they can say is no. (I know, I'm applying a lot of cliches in this response. But in this case, they're true!)
As for the hog farm, I'm from Iowa, so I know friends for whom this has been a concern. This may take some explaining, but it isn't necessarily a deal-breaker. If the relationship got serious, you might want to switch to turkey bacon instead of pork products. However, each Muslim person, especially in the U.S., is different and will have his or her own opinion and practices. Some are totally vegetarian; some think the prohibition is old-fashioned and enjoy a ham sandwich as much as we do.
Good luck to you, and I hope this helps!
peace,
Le Anne
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Answers by Expert:
Le Anne Clausen
Expertise
I can answer questions on Arab culture, including differences in cultures among Arab countries and sub-groups. I can also answer questions on Christian-Muslim relations, interfaith issues in general, and human rights and peacemaking issues in the Middle East.
Experience
I was a human rights worker for four years in the Middle East, and have spent time in Palestine, Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. I speak intermediate Arabic; some Hebrew; and am starting Persian (Farsi, Dari). I have led a half-dozen educational delegations to the area for North American groups; and I have led trainings for nearly a thousand international human rights volunteers coming into the area over my years there. I am now working to launch an interfaith peace-teams based human rights organization, hopefully in the next two years. I am also currently editing the manuscript for my first book, a firsthand account of my time in the Middle East
Publications
"Be the Healers," (next steps after Abu Ghraib) The Lutheran magazine, July 2004.
www.christian-muslim.net
www.seminaryaction.org
www.young-activist.blogspot.com
Multiple press releases which I wrote from the field, as well as media interviews/articles about my work are also available via Google search.
Education/Credentials
I have an MA in Christian-Muslim relations; and I am now continuing my studies at Chicago Theological Seminary (www.ctschicago.edu). I also have a BA in Religion concentrating in global service, from Wartburg College, (www.wartburg.edu).
Awards and Honors
I received the Dell Award for Peace and Justice from Wartburg College. I have spoken and led workshops and trainings at over one hundred church congregations, colleges, schools, organizations
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