Is it feasible...won't the cultures clash too much as the years go on?  Are muslim parents generally accepting of non-muslim girlfriends?  A muslims perspective would be greatly appreciated.
126837
Yes it can if each partner respect the other and their families are understanding.. My mum wasnt a msulim when she married my dad and shes from a totallly different culture(my dads arab, shes british) but things worked out fine.. my mum actually knows much more about our culture than i do.. my dads family LOVE my mum.. my mum was so happy with all of this that she began seeing what true muslims are like and she converted to islam.. and she says she couldnt be happier.. but i also know of many other non muslim women who have married muslims and it all depends on the families,  alot of them have bad relationships.. it depends
374051
I love how everyone has a prick up their @sses right here. Clearly you love him enough to be seriously contemplating a seerious relationship. In that case, compromise is the word here. You have no faith, but clearly his faith is important to him as well. \n\nIf there are children, it wouldn't hurt for them to learn about their father's religion. I have known many many people that have come out of mixed faith relationships. Some are devotely religious, some are supposedly "muslim" and just don't care, and ssome don't believe in Islam at all. Anything is open, and you have to keep in mind that in the end, this will be your children's choice. They will be exposed to two different ways of living, a whole other world that you have never known. Of course there are going to be problems, many of them, but you need to keep lines of communication open and be willing to budge.\n\nMaybe try telling him to avoid the topic of religion to his children until a certain age, but they can learn arabic if he is willing to teach them? In exchange, they won't be exposed to Islam until they are old enough to understand, or at least ask "why does Daddy not eat for a month right now?" Or something like that.\n\nAnd there are things that are truly just about comfot levels. Will it kill your children if they didn't eat pepporoni pizza or any other pork products? In return, it won't kill them to not go with their father to the mosque, or avoid any religious ceremonies or events. That's a "sacrifice" that both of you are going to have to deal with.\n\nWhatever you choose, keep this in mind: You are influencing what your children will be exposed to for the rest of their lives. It would almost be cruel to hide them from a way of life that is so important to their father, and yet at the same time it would be ridiculous to assume that they hvae to adopt a whole other mode of living, especially in a foreign country. It is not easy. But in the end, your children will end up deciding what they will and will not believe when they're ready. In the meantime, if you truly love each other, then your children's faith will be somethign that you both work on together.\n\n[Edit] To all you spouting out of your @sses that Muslim men do this, you'll be beheaded for that, you have to wear this and that, do your research for God's sake!!!! Islam is as diverse as CHristianity in terms of how devote its followers are. How many of you Christians follow every word of hte Bible literally? I can answer that: None. Not all of us women wear the scarf, even fewer of us wear the veil, and contrary to popular belief, the veil was a functional, practical garment that came about not from Islam, but from leading the life of a farmer hundreds of years ago in the sandy, blinding hot sun of Saudia Arabia, not for the cold climate of Britain. If any of you have gone to the desert, you'll know that covering up is actually cooooler than getting the full rays of the sun straight on your skin. Not all of us go around in bikinis begging for sun cancer.\n\nOther than that, no you have the full freedom of choice to stay un-religious. And to all of you idiots mentioned above, if she's fallen in love with him and known him for almost a year now, then she knows what he is all about. Clearly she knows how to lead her life better than you guys. And clearly, she is much more open minded and willing to experience other people's cultures than all of you.
300001
I am Muslim, a convert from christianity. I understand fully, I have had the same problem. My mom is a christian and very pro-Israel. She knows that I am Muslim but she forbids me to wear a Hijab or openly practice my religion. She had threatened to kick me out of the house other times for how I vote in elections so, I don't debate my religion with her. I agree with what the others said here that it is those radicals that give us a bad name. But I also think it is because of just pure ignorance of the truth mostly this ignorance is spread by the media.  It even extends to just being Arab or supporting the Arabs. I am originally American but I think of myself as an Arabist. I was in 10th grade english and the teacher announced to the whole class that I was with the Arabs. I didn't expect that but maybe it was because the teacher was Jewish but the whole class looked at me and I thought that I was going to be beaten up by how some of the kids were looking at me. This was shortly after 9/11 too. But above it all, I found happiness, I am happily married to an Egyptian Muslim, and will be making the Hajj in November, Inshallah. Those cartoons were overly offensive and shows why there is still the whole rift between East and West. Regardless of what those people say or do, keep your head up high and never allow them to get to you. Their fate like everything else is in Allah's hands.
276984
Maybe it's a culture thing her parents may not approve of her dating outside of her race. Find out first before you take it personally. Good luck.
108731
As a person married to a spouse of a very different religion, I can say that anyone who offers an "easy answer" has probably not been in that position.  Make no mistake, it can be difficult.  That said, this is decision time for your daughter and prospective son-in-law.  \n\nIf they are ready to be with each other, they are going to have to get used to navigating religious and cultural differences.  And this is an opportunity to decide whether they wish to cleave to each other or to their respective families of origin, to the extent there is some conflict between those two loyalties.  If they cannot prioritize being together over parental approval, the marriage is better off not starting, for its future is not good.  On the other hand, if they establish that their love for each other is something they wish to put at the center of their lives, learning that now can create a valuable opportunity to build a foundation for a future marriage.\n\nI would encourage them to:\n(1)  Engage his family's rabbi (or another rabbi, if his family's rabbi refuses to participate) in the dialogue;\n(2)  Talk about mixed-religion marriages with others in similar marriages, particularly Christian-Jewish pairings;\n(3)  Pray to their shared God/G-d in their two very different ways for guidance and help for their relationship.\n\nBtw, even in Orthodox Judaism conversion for purposes of marriage, and marriage to converts, is acceptable.  Try the Book of Ruth.  Possibly this is actually about cultural, rather than religious differences.\n\nImho, despite the challenges of interfaith marriages, they may play a very important role in moving our world from the present mutual hostility of all the world's faiths towards greater mutual understanding and peace.  And that is certainly a noble pursuit.\n\nMy blessings and my wishes for good luck to them and to both your families, which may yet become one family.
635268
Firstly Muslim Man can marry only Muslim , Christian or Jewish Woman, because all of them beliave in God.\n\nSecondly the steps of marriage are simple in Islam, only the couple need 3 conditions:\n\n1- He have to ask her (Do you accept me as a Husband, treating you in the best way as God order us, she have to aswer Yes I accept - if she want that).\n2- At least 3 persons should attend this protocol as a witnesses.\n3- Both of them should intend to Continual life.
94792
AM SORRY FOR THIS ANSWER BUT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAVE NO CHANCE OF DOING THAT IN A MUSLIM COUNTRY. AND I WOULD NOT TELL TO MANY PEOPLE OF YOUR INTENTIONS.\nI HOPE YOU BE SAFE AND FIND A WAY TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY YOU ARE IN.
600807
Actually, in Islam, both the girl and boy involved in getting married must agree to the marriage before it is carried out. In that, they have a choice in who they want to marry.\n\nHowever, since dating is not allowed, and nor are premarital relations, people may wonder how do Muslims marry? It's actually very simple and an almost guaranteed success plan - the parents are the best people to help find the perfect suitors for their children. If they feel that they have found someone who's a good match, the two parties involved are allowed to get to know each other and talk and discuss whatever issues or concerns they may have in the presence of the girl's guardian, of course.\n\nAfter that, they can take as long as they want for either party to decide whether or not they are content with the family, the boy/girl, etc. and then a final decision can be made.\n\nBut just to reanswer your question - the boy DOES have a choice. In fact, men in Islam don't NEED their parents permission to marry if they find someone suitable, however due to the great respect we are encouraged to show our parents, it is best to go through them and have their blessing too. I hope that helped! :)
588360
Funny you should ask. My 'boyfriend' dumped me because I'm christian & he's muslim (but in theory-not practicing). He played me for 10 months, then said we had no future together based on the muslim belief. And his future children would be taught the muslim faith. Interesting that the Bible was the 1st religion and all others sprouted from it. Isaih predicted Jesus's comming & crucifixion, were as mohammed came after Jesus's death, married a rich widow and suddonly has vissions, wrote a book, and becomes famous. The islamic culture is from an era of male superiority and domination that uses the term 'respect' only in regard to protect the male ego. If a man has respect for himself and truly loves the woman he wants to marry than he would look past the religious barriers and see the woman that he loves. Because God is love & love, hope & faith are bottom line principles in christianity not 'holy'r than thou' due to prayer rituals.
485090
Nagla- \nWow- This is a powerful question, and one to be asked.  I personally had to answer this for myself, but first let me say "Salam Malakum" (sp?) \nI am devoted Christian American Military Spouse currently living in an African Muslim country, and I don't think you can't get more diverse then that.  \nI agree with you that Americans look bad, because most do not know what a true Muslim is and only know what is report on the news.  (I could have been one of these Americans a year or so ago, and two tours in Iraq could do that to a person.) \nNeedless to say, I would like to end this on a positive note.  All the Muslims I have gotten to know what to live in PEACE.  There are extremes on both ends.  Just as the majority of Americans would disassociate themselves from the ones that are protesting grave sites because the US has gays live there.  \nI would like to encourage you to show these people what your all about.  Not is a IN YOUR FACE way, but a here it is thing.  The pilars of Islam prove that Muslims want Peace for all, that they do not look down on who is that persons personal Savior.  For me that happens to be Jesus Christ.  Yet I feel we can still love one another, and see where each other is coming from with resepect, and honor, in a way that would be glory to both religions.  \nGod Bless You-
516748
If you find any let me know. I am going through the same situation. InshAllah, both of our relationships will be fine. \nMa salaam,\nIsra.
415253
Im also from india and im muslim. First you must be sure that the girl likes you back and you must tell her. If your families are very strict about their religion it will be very hard wed and live a happy life with one another. If not, then let her meet your parents. They will grow to like her. You must tell your mom because will find out one way or another if you marry her. It's almost like all the indian movies where the couple elopes or something and they are always thinking about their parents.
496387
no thats not possible, Muslim women are only allowed to marry Muslim men.\nMuslim men can marry from other religions, but try to convince his wife of Islam and raise his children as Muslims.
228374
Yeah, I can understand, I had the same problem. Maybe he could talk to just one person at first, someone he's particularly close to, ask them to keep it to themselves for the time being, and see how they feel about it. Indians can be fiercely protective of their cultural identity, and might oppose cross-cultural marriage for that reason. On the other hand, many Indian families today aren't too conservative, especially ones that have moved abroad, so he might find less resistance than he thinks.
562306
I dont think all catholics hate muslims. We believe in the same God because there is only one BUT I think parents are scared about their daughters getting involved with a muslim boy. \nThis is because of lots of bad press about how some muslims repress women, make them wear a veil and convert to Islam. Would your boyfriend want that?\n\nCulturally many are different because they dont give women the same freedom western women expect. There have been some bad stories about marriages splitting up and the guy takes the children off to a muslim country and their mother never sees them again.\nIt depends alot on where he comes from. Fundamentalists are very strict but muslims from places like Turkey are more relaxed and westernised and I know of a few happy marriages between such couples.\nYou are in love but you should ask your boyfriend how important his religion is to him. Would he leave it for you? Would he expect you to change for him? Would he still let you go out with your friends if you married?
104940
Simple version: no.\nVersion with an explanation: No, for many reasons. The first one, though, is that God said not to do it. God tells Christians not to be yoked with non-Christians. There are many reasons for this:\n-Where will you go to church?\n-Will the muslim want to tithe to the Christian church?\n-what will the children learn as the true religion?\n-What will they think when they find out that their mom is not saved, and what will they think of that?\n-What will the children think when they read that muslims should kill all Christians?\n-How will it feel for the CHristian to have sex with the muslim- knowing that the muslim is going to hell?\n\nWhen people say that "nothing can stand in the way of love" that really bothers me. That is like saying, 'I have an earthly love for this muslim. I know that it isn't God's plan for me to marry them until they are a born again Chrstian, but I really think that our love knows more than the Master of the Universe.' There will be trial after trial in this relationship. \n\nIt may seem hard to hear that this person isn't God's plan for you. God sees such a bigger picture than what we can at this time. He knows best. Our lives will go better if we just listen to what He tells us. You are going to have to stop dating this muslim girl. You don't want to lead her on. If she is truly born again at a later time, then you can see if you want to start dating her again. \n\n I have already been praying for you.
220481
Of course they shouldn't have to divorce, but this is what happens when one lives in an Islamic society.  It would probably be best if they moved out of the country.