American and Egyptian marriage...?

Question

I have known him for a few months... we consider ourselves friends but we are more than friends (but not intimately) and by American culture we may be considered as dating. However he is from Egypt and doesn't believe in dating, men and women can either be friends or get married there is no in between for him (because in Egyptian culture there is no dating). In discussing this issue with others more informed than myself, they told me if he was serious about me he would begin discussing marriage with me soon which we have. I guess I am wondering if it is possible for a man from an Egyptian and Muslim background and an American woman to have a true, serious, and successful marriage. I am really wondering from the perspective of Egyptians and Muslims whether they believe this is possible.

Answer 1

I am a non-religious American man, and am married to a Muslim Bangladeshi woman.
She has had to put up with some cr*p from a few people, but for the most part her family is quite supportive (maybe because I am "supportive" of her family, i don't know). My family hasn't given me any problems (except a few snide remarks from one jack**s brother).
Egyptian culture is not consistent throughout 1 city, much less the whole country. They definitely do date in the more liberalized and westernized areas.
And Egyptian men are as different from each other as western men are from each other.
Maybe he isn't serious. Maybe he doesn't know how serious you are? It seems like you have 2 options. Either 1) just wait to see if he brings up marriage or longterm future. or 2) ask him what he thinks of your future together.

Good luck, and I hope i've helped you.

Answer 2

If any culture or religon is preventing people from finding happiness in love, then they need to seriously examine their cultural and religous beliefs.