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Question
hi, im a white non muslim woman, i have fallen in love with a devout male muslim, who is also 11 years younger than myself. we met on a dating site, and have been talking, textin for 3 months, he wants to meet up and have fun, but he also says he loves me, hes obviously a devout muslim, does this mean he has to marry a muslim?
Greetings Tracy, and thanks for your question. Well, love does funny things to everyone who experiences it. I think it is wise for you to meet this person (taking all the appropriate cautions as you would for meeting anyone in person you've been talking to online--ie, public place, let a friend know where you're going, etc). And see how the chemistry is in person. Plan to spend a while talking about his expectations for the relationship and where it might head, and if he believes it's important to him to marry a Muslim, and also to talk to him about what's important to you. I can see where the age difference may be difficult for his family if you develop a long-term relationship. This would also be good to check into in person. People do vary within a religion, and people do vary as people. A person may consider themselves devout but also feel okay about marrying a person outside their faith. Sometimes the only way to find out if it will work is to go and see for yourself!
Good luck, and I hope this helps! Please let me know if there is any other question I can help with.
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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