Job Discussion Forums

NewInTownTEFLer · Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 13

I wonder what she sees in you? How old are you btw?
My point is "you're funny""

Cleopatra · Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 1:57 pm Post subject:

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Better marry that lady before you appear in public together - evenn in liberal Khobar

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 2:36 pm Post subject:

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

From a previous post, he pointed out that he is engaged to an Egyptian woman, and he is now teaching at KFU.

I'd say that the answer to his question is that... a mixed racial couple will draw much more attention than otherwise. One best be married if in public together, and carry proof...

VS

Chthon · Joined: 03 Jun 2009 Posts: 54

Alright, let me prepare myself for all the polite barbs to be thrown my way. We have been together for nearly a year, and we are engaged. VS is correct, not Saudi but from Khobar (most of the population of the Khobar/Dammam/Dhahran metro area is non-Saudi). In the entire time we have been together, yes, I have never asked her how the police may react.

Maybe it's kind of silly and/or ridiculous that in almost a year, we have never discussed the issue. However, I am visiting family in the US and there is a nine hour time difference. I saw this thread and since she is asleep and can't answer, I figured I would answer the question here.

Also, I don't know my father's birthday and for the past ten years or so I have never asked my uncle, who lives and works in India, what he does. I could go on but the point is this: I'm not pulling anybody's leg, some conversation topics just slip my mind.

Cleopatra, you mentioned arrest...now, are you pulling my leg?

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

No, I don't believe she was. It would be illegal for the two of you... unmarried... to be alone in a car together.

What may affect your situation is the two-step process of marriage in this part of the world. If the two of you have signed the marriage papers/contract, but not yet made it final/official, it may be legal for you to be alone together. She should know the answer to this one.

But, you need to be careful... the risk is probably higher for her than for you.

VS

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 3:20 pm Post subject:

Chthon, my apologies if you interpreted my message as a barb. Sometimes it is hard to know the effect words will have once they are posted. Embarassed

I agree with the other posters that you need to be especially careful. However, I do know of one couple in your situation (in this case, a white American convert to Islam married to a non-Saudi, Arab, Muslim woman) and they never mentioned having any problems with the muttaween. Of course, they were legally married and they had children, so they would not have appeared suspicious when out together.

Chthon · Joined: 03 Jun 2009 Posts: 54

I will check with the family then, since they should be awake now. Our plan is to go through the full legal process of getting a proper marriage license there (I'm guessing that could take more than a week) before having her move in to the compound with me. I don't want to make any mistakes with that. My main concern is once we are legally and rightfully married under Saudi law, and what sort of documentation I will need to carry on my person.

trapezius · Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 7:19 pm Post subject:

Dude, you are getting married there to someone whose parents have been there a long time... ask the parents what they carry around.

You will need to carry around the marriage certificate and your iqama, and since she will come under your iqama (she will or she will stay under her father's?), your iqama will list her name as a dependent. So actually, that should be enough to carry around (and she should carry a copy of the iqama when she goes out alone). If she stays under her father's, then you will need to carry around the marriage certificate (a copy of it).