I have a boyfriend that lives outside of Cairo, and he and I have decided to marry, and he wants me to go there because he's got a business established, etc....So my question is are there any American women that live over there that can give me some advice, or anything?
Egypt - 12 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I would say no dont go...in fact break up with him. If hes from Egypt hes probably Muslim right? in Islamic law it sais if an Islamic man or woman marry a non Islamic, the non Islamic must convert or else death. once he takes you to Egypt there might not be any comming back....trust me thats how it is in Iran. Persian men come marry American women and take them to Iran...the women are then forced to be converted to Islam and live in Iran forever without seeing their family anymore. i mean unless your already Islamic then it shouldnt be a problem...American women are not used to living in the middle east....i would say thumbs down...its much easier in America than it is in the middle east and women are used to the technology and all that good stuf...but then all of a sudden the middle east and its all gone...back to the old ways.
2 :
don't drink the water
3 :
I don't know anyone that has lived in Egypt, but I have known people who lived in Saudi Arabia, and I've heard crazy stories. Women are treated very poorly. You cannot leave the house without a male escort, but at the same time, they can convict you of the crime of "dating." It's a catch22. If you're caught fraternising with the opposite sex, the man better be your husband or a close relative. You are not allowed to show public displays of affection. Holding hands is okay, as long as it's your husband or a relative. They may not make you wear a burcah, but you are required to keep your head covered with a scarf. If you're invited over to dinner, the women have to retreat to another room. The men dine first (without the aid of knives, forks, or any manner of silverware), then the women get their turn. Perhaps it is rare, but slavery still exists in Saudi Arabia. I have heard a stories about Saudi men inviting their foreign friends over for dinner and then taking the wives for themselves. The women retreat to another room as I mentioned earlier, then curiously never reappears. The guest will say "Where is my wife," and the host simply responds "I don't remember you bringing your wife." Legal action is generally useless because there is no jury. Plus, Saudis usually take the side of their own countrymen. That's the bad news. The good news is that Egypt is probably more progressive than Saudi Arabia, and also Americans weild more clout in Islamic countries than other foreigners.
4 :
I am american woman and i lived in egypt for 7 months. I guess it depends on the lifestyle you will have there. I guess if you want information e-mail me at farfanoogen85@yahoo.com. Just ignore the previous posts though because egypt is not at all like saudi arabia.
5 :
Many American women live in Egypt. Egypt is a very difficult place to live, for anyone, regardless of sex. Life is difficult there, especially in Cairo. There are few good paying jobs, there is rampant corruption and terrible pollution. Traffic is unbelievable. Drug addiction abounds. It's a mess. I would not marry your Egyptian boyfriend. If you have to marry him, you do not have to convert and it does you no good to do so. You have the right to make conditions on your marriage before you get married. You must put these on paper- legally! For example, these are some of the stipulations you should make in your marital contract: 1) Large dowry (he doesn't have to give you a cent if you are Christian). Make him. You will be happy you did. 2) No second wife. 3) If you divorce, you automatically get full custody of any children and a right to remarry. 4) If you do get custody of the children, think, "HOW WILL YOU TRAVEL WITH THEM ACROSS BORDERS WITHOUT HIS PERMISSION?" "WHAT IF HE GETS ANGRY AND TAKES THEM?" You will never get them back. Once he puts the children in his passport, they are no longer yours. He will also give even the girl children his name. Imagine Jennifer Ahmed. Or Amanda Mohamed? It is a good idea to think about this man. Who is he really? Egyptian men lie. They lie all the time. IT is in their nature. I know this sounds racist, but they are desperate when it comes to women and will say anything to get you to marry them. He may just want a Green Card. Please visit the following websites, especially Human Rights Watch. http://hrw.org/reports/2004/egypt1204/3.htm http://www.ecwronline.org/english/index.htm un.org/.../vaw/ngocontribute/Egyptian Center for Women_s Rights.pdf http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/12/02/world/main658865.shtml Do yourself a favor, don't marry this guy right away. Go to Egypt first on vacation, as his girlfriend. Check to see if he has a wife already. See how his family is (you are marrying them too). See how he changes when he gets to Egypt. See how he treats you different (controls your every move.) There is a book you may also read "Fatwa". This is the worst case scenario! Make sure your family and friends know where you are at all times. In fact, have a girlfriend or brother come with you on that first visit to give you a second opinion. Finally, the US Embassy will do nothing to help you if the marriage goes bad. They will do nothing.
6 :
I would ignore the first answer all together. I have never heard a middle eastern country make a law that people must convert, if they marry a muslim or death. Islamically a person must willing accept islam as their faith with the want of practicing it whole heartedly. There is a verse in the Quran, which states there is no compulsion in Islam, which is meant that one cannot force Islam on another.
7 :
Don't believe the first answer!! It's not true at all that non muslims are forced to convert to islam.
8 :
one of the most stupid things in the world for forigners to marry egyptian man and live in cairo..
9 :
, is he a d j that dresses very smart and proposes on his first date, yuk, how come you ended up in egypt not india
10 :
Don't listen to the first answer. My boyfriend is from egypt too, there's some amercian women living there, otherall, egyptian people are nice, nicer than amercians anyway. It's a nice place, but don't swim in the nile.
11 :
i am from the uk. they are all smoothies, charm the birds out of the trees , and the money out of your bank, be carefull, if you have to ask its not going to go very far, i visit Egypt a lot as i am well into the Pharaon era, I am married but i even got chatted up once in front of my hubby, he in turn smacked the guy in the mouth, when i go on my own i get pestered they think they are so irisistable, My pet name for them is little weasels, Every time i go to Luxor I hear another sad story, so my advice leave well alone had your fling move on, before you become another victim,
12 :
As you see there are many idiots doesn't like to know that someone likes to marry and live in Egypt. There are many American women married and living in Egypt. How much happy they are depends on many things like anywhere in the world. Out of Cairo if you have a good income or own the business it's better and calmer. You may find American wives communities in Cairo, but you know people are always different. In all cases in Egypt we are open to foreigners. You need to learn about the culture and community. The most important is to understand the mentality. It's completely different from life in US. If you feel you can accept it and understand it you'll feel it's your best decision to live among Egyptians. Sure you may face some problems and may be you'll have few difficulties in the first month or months but it will all pass easily if you have a lot of Egyptian friends and you can communicate well. I wish I can get you in contact with many Americans living in Egypt, but you may find them here or later when you come. Once I found a special websites for American wives in Cairo too, but I don't have the web link. Good luck and welcome among the Egyptian hearts
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