1. TraditionalTraditional
marriage inmarriage in
Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia

2. Marriage is one of the most important socialMarriage is one of the most important social
institutions of human society, ‘institutioninstitutions of human society, ‘institution
binds two opposite sexes with a tie ofbinds two opposite sexes with a tie of
husband and wife and allows them tohusband and wife and allows them to
perform certain rights and duties.perform certain rights and duties. MarriageMarriage
customscustoms is different between countriesis different between countries
.Here,.Here, we will explain traditional marriagewe will explain traditional marriage
in Saudi Arabiain Saudi Arabia

3. Many marriages in Saudi Arabia continue to be arrangedMany marriages in Saudi Arabia continue to be arranged
marriagesmarriages.. However that is not to say that the bride or However that is not to say that the bride or
groom do not get a choice in the mattergroom do not get a choice in the matter.. They do They do.. But if But if
a bride and groom are brought together through family ita bride and groom are brought together through family it
is rare for either to reject the matchis rare for either to reject the match.. An arranged An arranged
marriage in Saudi Arabia is usually made through themarriage in Saudi Arabia is usually made through the
bride or groom’s circlebride or groom’s circle.. Matches are generally arranged Matches are generally arranged
through women in the family and being a conservativethrough women in the family and being a conservative
society, matches will be made through families alreadysociety, matches will be made through families already
known to the womenknown to the women.. First cousin and second cousin First cousin and second cousin
marriages continue in Saudi Arabiamarriages continue in Saudi Arabia.. In other cases In other cases
marriages will be arranged through families who havemarriages will be arranged through families who have
married in to the women’s circle of contactsmarried in to the women’s circle of contacts..

4. The women will be the ones to build up theThe women will be the ones to build up the
prospective groom to the young woman. prospective groom to the young woman.
Mother, Sisters and Aunts or aMother, Sisters and Aunts or a
Grandmother will extol the virtues of theGrandmother will extol the virtues of the
young woman to the prospective groom. young woman to the prospective groom.
The young woman will think over what theThe young woman will think over what the
other women have said and usually prayother women have said and usually pray
the istikara prayer for guidancethe istikara prayer for guidance..

5. The young man, if he likes what he hears, he willThe young man, if he likes what he hears, he will
express his desire of marriage to his family. Hisexpress his desire of marriage to his family. His
family will arrange to meet with that of the youngfamily will arrange to meet with that of the young
woman. The male relatives (father, grandfather,woman. The male relatives (father, grandfather,
brothers and groom) will meet with the youngbrothers and groom) will meet with the young
woman’s father and brothers. The femalewoman’s father and brothers. The female
relatives (mother, grandmother, sisters) will meetrelatives (mother, grandmother, sisters) will meet
with the young woman. If the father iswith the young woman. If the father is
comfortable and satisfied, he will allow thecomfortable and satisfied, he will allow the
young man to meet his daughter (chaperonedyoung man to meet his daughter (chaperoned(.(.

6. The young couple are given a short periodThe young couple are given a short period
of time they are allowed to talk. Usuallyof time they are allowed to talk. Usually
both the young man and woman haveboth the young man and woman have
questions prepared they wish to ask. Byquestions prepared they wish to ask. By
the end of the meeting the couplethe end of the meeting the couple
generally decide whether they wish togenerally decide whether they wish to
marry. Most couples do agree to marrymarry. Most couples do agree to marry
and are now engagedand are now engaged..

7. This part of the Saudi courtship is kept veryThis part of the Saudi courtship is kept very
private and closely held. Therefore if afterprivate and closely held. Therefore if after
meeting either the young man or youngmeeting either the young man or young
woman do not wish to marry there is lesswoman do not wish to marry there is less
of a loss of faceof a loss of face..

8. A couple may be engaged for a period of severalA couple may be engaged for a period of several
weeks or for a period of several years. Thatweeks or for a period of several years. That
depends on the families. During thedepends on the families. During the
engagement period some couples may receiveengagement period some couples may receive
further opportunities to get to know one another;further opportunities to get to know one another;
others may not. How much contact or if anyothers may not. How much contact or if any
contact prior to the marriage is dependent on thecontact prior to the marriage is dependent on the
families and how open they are. Most youngfamilies and how open they are. Most young
Saudi couples today do keep in touch via phoneSaudi couples today do keep in touch via phone
calls, text messages and email. The morecalls, text messages and email. The more
contact between a young couple prior tocontact between a young couple prior to
marriage the less feeling of marrying a strangermarriage the less feeling of marrying a stranger..