Hello everybody,
After reading some of the posts in the forum concerning marriages and divorce in Egypt I decided to post some useful information for ladies who might think to enter into a marriage contract with an Egyptian or muslim man in general.
Whether you are Christian, Jews or a Muslim convert, the mahr (dowry) is the right of the woman, and one of the condition (shuroot) of validity of your marriage., together with having a 'wali' legal guardian representing you and two muslim male witnesses of good character.
Many of the marriages conducted in Egypt by unscrupulous men and lawyers do not fit the category of marriage of the shari'ah and they are totally 'baatil' meaning null.
Other traditions, which are not prescribed strictly by islam, but are embedded into local culture, is the form and quantity of the dowry given to the woman. While the mahr should not be exaggerated, it should be in respect to what is customary in one's country.
An Egyptian bride, will require at least 10,000 EGP and this often doe snot include jewellery.
This is the minimum price to pay.
Men get away without paying anything, or making the bride pay it on their behalf only when foreign brides are concerned. A stand like this might cost them their lives if the subject would be one of their local women.
This results in some foreigners being targeted for marriage by men who may not otherwise afford to get married to an Egyptian or Arab bride.
Please be aware of this matter.
Conditions (shuroot) can also be set. Such as where the couple will live, if the woman can take up employment, upbringing of the child etc. Please do set these conditions in advance, especially if you are marrying in court.
While arab families spend months or even years negotiating such conditions, foreigners jump into marriages with men who have unrealistic expectations.g. the woman should convert, or cover.
All these issued can be discussed and written down BEFORE marriage. Not after.
Furthermore, It is absolutely essential to investigate the man and his family background, and why he is unable to marry locally. They might be good reasons indeed.
If you have any such concern, you can write to me.
Regards