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Hi Le Anne I have a question similar to previous questions about dating Arabic men. I am a African American college student with no children and ambitious and I am involved in a relationship with a Palestinian American man. We have been together for 1.5 years and I am a year older than him (I am 25 years old). When I first met my boyfriend I didn't know allot about his culture nor did I know how strict his parents are. I have talked about the future and whether we could have a potential companionship because I am Christian and he is Muslim. There are some things he hasn't told me the truth about within this year and a half, so I am a little spectacle about this relationship. I have been talking to other people who know about my situation and they don't believe he will ever take me to his parents. I am a little confused and because I care about him and have feelings for him its hard for me to decide what to do. If you have any insight that could help, I would appreciate any advice thanks.
Ms. Walker
Greetings Marie, and thanks for your question. I do worry along with you about this guy being less than truthful with you as you describe. I'd say that no matter what the culture, quality partners value honesty. You may be able to move things further along by saying that you care about him and would like to continue the relationship, but in order to do so, you need to meet his family. If he isn't willing to do that, you may then say it's been great but it's time to see other people. A year and a half is definitely enough time to figure out if a relationship is going somewhere; within Middle Eastern cultures, the timeframe is often much less.
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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