Expert: Le Anne Clausen - 2/16/2009

Question
hi good day Le anne,
i am a christian from philippines and im been dating a muslim guy originally from palestine but he's holding a jordaian passport.and working and living in saudi arabia.we meet online we have been in relationship for a almost a year.he visited me here 2 times.when he 1st visit me he told me that he love me very much,and he wants to be with me for the rest of his life,he's sweet caring.and even he's busy he make me feel he love me.he told me bieng a christian is not a problem if he want to marry me and we talk for the future.and he told me he will going back for me again.when he going back home and he was renew his passport he had a big problem about his passport from the jordan govt bec he's orginally from palestine.and he told me that it make him to death about the problem and i was crying that time when we talked about it.he fixed his passport problem in the jordan govt.and one of the condition to solved the issue of his passport problem  is to marry jordanian girl but he dont want too.but he sign if he marry someday he will marry a girl from jordan.he told me he just sign it bec he want to have his passport bec he need it also for his iqama in saudi arabia.he come here again for 2nd time stay for a month.we really love each other.he meet my family but his family i didnt met yet.and he didnt tell about me to his parents.but he told me that his parents will not interfare if he wants to marry a christian girl.but one of the problem now is the govt of jordan wanted him to marry a girl from jordan.i love him and i know he love me too.but one of the obstacle in our relationship is his problem if he will not marry a girl from jordan they will take his passport and they will put him in jail..also why he cant tell to his parents about me bout our relationship.is it true that even thier govt can interfere who wants to be married? pls i need some advice i love him and willing to wait but i dont want to wait for nothing.

Answer
Greetings friend, and thanks for your question.  I am sorry to hear that you are having this trouble.

While it's true that there is no prohibition against a Muslim man marrying a Christian woman, I would caution you that a man who has not told his parents about you does not intend to marry you.  Parents are so involved in their children's marriages in Palestinian culture that it's rare to handle this situation otherwise.

I have also not heard anyone else say they were required to marry a Jordanian or otherwise face jail, and I know many, many Palestinians living in Jordan and elsewhere.

The combination of circumstances is such that I would advise you to find another guy.  I'm sorry this is not working out the way you would have liked.  

Good luck to you, and I hope this helps!

peace,

Le Anne