The population of Egypt is 94% Sunni Muslim, thus the culture of the country is highly influenced by traditional Muslim practices. This includes areas pertaining to marriage, although Egypt is less traditional in this area - particularly in the relationship of the couple before a marriage - than many other traditional Muslim countries.

Meeting a partner

Traditional Islamic practices in Egypt dictate that there is to be no dating or other types of interactions prior to a couple's getting married. However, there are still social occasions where Egyptian men and women have a chance to meet each other. Usually, this will take place at a school or in a place of work.

In such circumstances, it is possible that a young man and a young woman may fall in love and desire a marital union. These marriages are traditionally opposed, although the family will usually relent if the couple remains committed to the idea, as long as both the man and woman are of the same social and educational status. Outside of a love match, Egyptian weddings are arranged, with the families of both bride and groom making inquiries of friends, relatives, and neighbors as to the other's standing and conduct.

If a union is deemed suitable by both families, the man and woman are permitted to meet and begin socializing. If they like each other, several more meetings with families are arranged, and an engagement party organized. At this party, the groom will give the bride a wedding ring.

The Ceremony

The marriage contract is signed by the groom at the ceremony along with the family of the bride. There are also members of both families present as witnesses, although the bride herself is not in the room. Instead, she waits in a separate room and the contract is brought to her for her approval.

The ceremony itself follows traditional Muslim practices, including reading passages of the Quran and the Kitbah (formal betrothal). It may take place in a mosque, a secular establishment such as a hotel, or at the home of one of the couple's family.

The reception

The wedding ceremony at an Egyptian wedding is followed by the wedding feast, or walimah. In urban areas, this feast is celebrated with both sexes present, and includes a formal presentation of the couple, who often walk holding hands down a path formed with two lines of guests on either side. The rings which were received at the engagement party are switched from the right to the left hand, and there is cake, meats, pastry, sweets, nuts, salad and rice in large quantities. The bride will often throw a bouquet to the unwed ladies at the wedding, with whoever catches it forecast as being the next to get married. There is also music and dancing.

Weddings in the Egyptian countryside are more formal. Men and women are often segregated, with the bride covering her face with a veil during the ceremony.

A Muslim marriage and subsequently a Muslim wedding is a weaving together of families, of two souls, and of two destinies. It is considered as a big and very auspicious occasion in all cultures of the world. Different cultures have different wedding traditions and ceremonies, and every culture has its own treasure of wedding ceremonies, wedding customs and rituals.

Weddings in various Muslim countries follow their respective cultural traditions. Some are more Islamic while others have adopted norms that are in the values of various cultures. Various cultures have introduced more ceremonies in the Muslim marriage and matrimonial process.

Brides are decorated and beautified in various ways for weddings. For example, in the Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh) traditions, Mehndi or Henna as it is called, has a great significance. The brides are decorated both on the bride's hands and feet. In some Middle Eastern countries such as Morocco, the has a ceremonial bath a few days before the wedding and is decorated with henna and jewelry. Other countries vary in their celebrations of weddings.

Most weddings in Islamic and Arab cultures could become very expensive affairs. Hundreds and sometimes thousands of guests are not unheard of. Large spaces or hotels are rented to accommodate such a large gathering of guests. The bride is also decorated with very expensive jewelry. 22K gold is quite common that includes bracelets, ear rings, and jewelry for the head (worn over the wedding shawl).

Families that are more conservative Islamically usually avoid such lavish weddings as it is considered an unnecessary expense. More prefer instead to pay the amount to the bride and the groom to help them start their family.

                               EGYPT                                              INDONESIA                                                IRAN

                            MALAYSIA                                           MOROCCO                                                OMAN

                            PAKISTAN                                             TUNISIA                                                  TURKEY

Although the majority of the population of Iran subscribe it Islam and it is located in the Middle East, the people of Iran can trace their ancestry back to ancient Persian lines. Persian, rather than Arabic, is the dominant language, and many of the customs retain elements of Persian Zoroastrianism. Although the sacred parts of the wedding ceremony, such as the reading of religious passages, are now conducted in the traditional Muslim way (with readings from the Quran as well as blessings such as the Kitbah), there are many aspects that still reflect ancient Iranian heritage.

Expensive weddings and mass weddings

Weddings in Iran are very expensive affairs; and there are more weddings in the countryside than there are in rural areas, even though those living in cities tend to have more economic security.

Iranian weddings are meant to be very public celebrations, taking place in front of as many people as possible. Bride prices are perhaps higher in Iran than in any other Muslim country; they are so high in fact that to many, they are almost prohibitive. The cost for a bride includes not only gifts for her and her family, but also the entire cost of the reception, which as mentioned is typically very large and very long.

In order to offset these costs, many Iranian couples are no longer having the traditional large ceremony, instead electing the Muslim equivalent of eloping (the marriage is still blessed by the imam, but there is no contract. This is usually very hard on the bride, who must bear the wrath of her parents). Another way in which Iranians are offsetting the cost of nuptials is by getting married in a ceremony involving two, three, or more other couples. This way, the costs are shared by all.

Ceremony

Both ceremony and reception take place at the house of the bride’s parents. The ceremony is started when the guests begin arriving.

The Persian ceremony includes the ceremony itself (Aghd) and the reception of three to seven days (Jashn-e Aroosi). There is a very elaborate floor spread set up for Aghd, including several kinds of food and decorations (Sofreh-ye Aghd), all with a significance of their own. The spread is set up so that faces east towards the light:

• Spread.The elaborate cloth placed underneath the set up on the floor is passed down from mother to daughter. It is made of expensive cashmere, satin, or silk, and is embroidered.

• A tray of herbs and spices. There are seven different elements on this tray, each with a different color. The herbs and the colors are said to ward off evil spirits.

• Mirrors and candles. A mirror is placed in front of where the couple will sit, with two candles on either side. This arrangement again symbolizes light, and the candles unity. The bride sits down veiled but then removes the veil, and so the first thing a groom sees at the table is a reflection of his bride.

• Fertility symbols. Several types of nuts in shells as well as eggs are placed on the spread to symbolize the wishes of a fertile union.

• The Quran. A copy of the Quran is opened to the middle and placed in the center of the spread. A prayer rug and prayer kit is also placed on the center of the spread.

• Coins and various sweets. A bowl of coins is used to bring wealth, and there are several sweet pastries that represent the sweetness of the new life and also to share with guests.

During the ceremony, the bride and groom often have the sugar from special sugar cones shaved off by guests and onto their heads. This is thought to bring good fortune, as well as representing a wish that their new life will be filled with joy (sweetness). The bride will keep these cones as souvenirs and for good luck.