Taroudant – Last week, a group of Muslims organized a Halal version of speed dating in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital.
The Halal, meaning permissible under Islamic law, dating aims at encouraging young people to meet, discuss and hopefully find a good partner for marriage under Sharia Laws.
Since Islam prohibits “Khalwa,” meeting with a member of the opposite sex other than a spouse or close relative in a private place, the organizers came up with a creative way to allow youth to meet in lawful meetings.
According to Reuters, the dating service was arranged in conformity with Islam requirements. “Women speed daters must be chaperoned by a wali, or guardian, until she gets married and who grants her the permission to do so,” Reuters reported.
Speed daters can shortlist up to three people, however marriage can only be negotiated with one possible partner at a time in the presence of the girl’s wali (responsible).
Halal Speed Dating co-founders Zuhri Yuhyi, 34, and Norhayati Ismail, 41, said, “Halal Speed Dating is the anti-Tinder. Instead of casual hookups, Halal Speed Dating is about dignified and chaperoned meet-ups with the intention of marriage. In fact, we do not condone the modern dating that is commonly practiced.”
The organizers said that unlike online meetings, and dating apps, Halal Dating Service proved its success and people are getting more interested in the service.
The first meeting was organized in May, when about 80 people joined, and the second meeting was organized last week with 60 interested young Muslims.
The founders said that about 2,300 people have signed up to attend the coming session, most of them urban professionals between the ages of 25 to 35.
Unlike other Muslim countries where young people enjoy more freedom, public displays of affection and intimacy before marriage are strictly forbidden in Malaysia. Malaysian Muslims may face fines and jail terms if caught in unlawful meeting.
