AboutLe 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
Expert: Le Anne Clausen Date: 6/10/2008 Subject: How to get out of an arranged marriage
Question Hello im dating an Arabic girl and her parents are forcing her and literally forcing her to get an arranged marriage when shes 16 i looked up laws for 3 days to see if she can get out of it but i didnt find anything. I am dating this girl secretly and i cant see her at all cause her parents dont want her to talk to guys at all. And she is aggreeing to the marriage only because shes never seen her dad in a long long time because hes stuck in Jordan. Now i love her very much an have been dating her secretly for quit sometime now and i really dont want her to go so i was wondering if there is anything to get her out of this situation?
Answer Greetings Garrett, and thanks for your question. This is really a difficult and troubling case! Even many Muslims and Arab women and men these days agree that people should not be forced into marriage.
I gather that you are writing from the United States, and that you might be the same age as she is, but I am not sure from your question whether she is 16 yet? Perhaps the best thing you can do, if she is sure she doesn't want to marry this person, is to not look at laws yourself, but call a local women's crisis center for help. they would be the most likely people to have the legal contacts necessary to figure this out, as well as provide assistance for a minor. You may also look for help at school with a staff psychologist or social worker or guidance counselor.
The important thing to remember in all of this is that it is ultimately her decision to make, whether to seek intervention or to go. You can counsel her that she could see her father in Jordan after she's turned 18 without getting into this arranged marriage, and that it's best to complete her education. However, you can't 'force' her not to go if she decides this is what she will do. Just try to be as supportive and loving as you can whatever she decides, and offer her what resources you can, like the referrals above.
