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Arab Culture/Marrying the Islamic way?

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Expert: - 12/4/2010


Question
I have met the man of my life, he is Arabic and Muslim. He
wants me to go visit him in Arabia, and although we haven't
had any relations yet, that's what we intend to do sooner or
later. He asked me if I wanted to get married the Islamic
way so that we can have relations. So that he doesn't feel
that its a sin. Is this common?

Answer
Carmen, I assume you are an American or at least a westerner? Yes it is common in Judaism, Christianity and Islam to not have sexual relations until you are married. However, if you are only getting married to have sex I suggest you reevaluate the relationship. Moslem men are permitted up to four wives at one time. A divorce within Islam is quite simple. Women have few rights in Saudi Arabia by western standards. They are not permitted to drive, or even be in public alone without a male escort of some sort (husband, father, brother etc.) I strongly suggest you research Saudi Arabian culture as it relates to women before going there.

Arab Culture

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David Rababy

Expertise

Questions regarding political, military and cultural issues in the Middle East

Experience

•27+ years of experience in intelligence analysis •Coordinated the management, analysis, processing, and dissemination of strategic, operational and tactical intelligence •Conducted research & analysis of counterterrorism, and foreign military forces, operations, capabilities and trends in support of threat production •Analyzed information to assess developments, trends, and threat implications within geographical and functional areas •Compiled, collated, analyzed, produced and evaluated all-source intelligence •Subject Matter Expert on Middle East affairs (native of Lebanon)

Organizations
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) National Veteran-Owned Business Association Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) The American Legion The Marine Corps League The Association of Service Disabled Veterans (ASDV) Fredericksburg Small Business Association (FSBA)

Publications
Rababy, D.A., Marine Corps Intelligence, Officer Training of the Future, U.S. Army Military Intelligence magazine, May 1995 Rababy, D.A., Intelligence Support During a Humanitarian Mission, Marine Corps Gazette, February 1995 Rababy, D.A., Intelligence Support in Operations Other Than War, Small Wars Journal, October, 2005 Rababy, D.A., Cultural Intelligence Training for Military Operations, Ongoing

Education/Credentials
American Military University, Master of Arts, Political Science University of Michigan-Flint, Bachelor of Arts, History Armed Forces Staff College (JPME II) Intelligence Collection Managers Course USMC Command & Staff College Anti-terrorism Instructor Course Instructor and Curriculum Developers Course

Awards and Honors
Bronze Star Medal Joint Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (Third Award) Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Third Award) Combat Action Ribbon (Second Award) Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait and Saudi Arabia) Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Instructor of the Year (1996)

Past/Present Clients
Jane's Information Group Klein Associates (ARA) Robotic Research

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