Marriage Customs of the Ruling Family

[NGalitzine]

^^^^^
So, are you suggesting that Sheikh Zayed and a lot of his sons have broken UAE laws by marrying non-Sheikhas?

[USGirl]

Apparently, it's easier to argue rather than have discussions. Here's the history..I've read that Shiekh Zayed wrote a law into place requiring Shiekhs' to marry Shiekhas'. The basis of the law was bec he noticed a lot of Shiekh's were marrying non-Shiekha and it was unfair since a Shiekha can only marry a Shiekh. When this took place...I believe the 70's rather he was just a Ruler or then Ruler & President.

Now, can we "discuss" not "argue"? Geesh...it's easier for some of you to be right rather than talk. It is a blog...or am I wrong about that?
.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by USGirl

...I've read that Shiekh Zayed wrote a law into place requiring Shiekhs' to marry Shiekhas'

Perhaps your source was incorrect, perhaps you misinterpreted what was stated, perhaps it's a faulty recollection of what you read.
Otherwise, can you provide a source?

Before this get's too out of hand (only one offensive message deleted so far), let's summarise...

dazzling (UAE) - tradition
Imanmajed (UAE) - tradition
lady blue (Bahrain) - tradition

USGirl (USA) - law

>. I'll leave it up to members to draw their own conclusions.

Originally Posted by USGirl

It is a blog...or am I wrong about that? .

TRF is not a blog; strictly speaking it is a forum or discussion board.
.

[jikodi]

I do not really know on what's your point .... If HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum has also married non-emirati women, I am convinced that he sees no problem in that his sons do so. The UAE society is deeply rooted in their traditions and I like that. But still, has changed in the last 40 years a lot and it will change much more with the younger generation of leaders. The Emirates is not a traditional dynasty nor a kingdom. As long as the leader the benefit of the people in their country at heart, so long as the old traditions will continue.I'm sure any decent girl is welcomed into the family of al Maktoum as the wife of Crown Prince Hamdan or one of the other sons. But the question is rather, which girl from outside the Arab world is willing to engage with the traditions of the UAE and to respect them? Every marriage in higher circles also means to be willing to let a big piece of the usual life behind and to the personal freedom behind the interests of a state.

My point is, is it practical considering the political turbulance in the Arab world, P Haya's marriage to Sheikh Mohammed and the reaction to it for any of Sheikh Mo's sons to marry a non-Emirati, non-Arab or non-Muslim and it was known to the public. I also wonder if this applies in the Maktoum family officially or unofficially:

Like in Kuwait do you know that if the mother is non Kuwaity or the wife is non Kuwaity they can never Rule Kuwait even if it was their turn

I hope Sheikh mo's sons marry women who will be seen and photographed in public.

[Isotta]

For what it's worth, I never heard of Shaikh Zayed requiring Sheiks to marry only Shaikhas. He did encourage (not require only encouraged) Emiratis to marry Emiratis; and it is difficult to acquire Emirati citizenship to this day. I do believe that Zayed wanted to champion the continuation of Emirates' customs and tradition in the modern world he helped create. Correct me if I am wrong here (but my spell check has also corrected things to the point where I am not certain of which is right, so please don't bother with that).

[Imanmajed]

Originally Posted by USGirl

Lady blue - are you sure? The tradition would be marriage to a cousin. I'm aware many Shiekhs' are married to non-Shiekha's. Thanks for your answer but it doesn't answer the question.

Then I have a question for you: What is your question exactly?
Did you want to ask anything or make a statement?
Why you can`t understand that for your question (?) or assertion (?) is no law that force a Sheikh in a prescribed marriage?

[Imanmajed]

Originally Posted by USGirl

Apparently, it's easier to argue rather than have discussions. Here's the history..I've read that Shiekh Zayed wrote a law into place requiring Shiekhs' to marry Shiekhas'. The basis of the law was bec he noticed a lot of Shiekh's were marrying non-Shiekha and it was unfair since a Shiekha can only marry a Shiekh. When this took place...I believe the 70's rather he was just a Ruler or then Ruler & President.

Now, can we "discuss" not "argue"? Geesh...it's easier for some of you to be right rather than talk. It is a blog...or am I wrong about that?
.

If you set up a claim, we deny the obvious, then where will come a discussion? A Sheikha can also marry a person who is not a Sheikh. The question is whether the Sheikha would want to marry a non Sheikh?
There have been recommendations to marry a Sheikha in modern times. Since there is a difference of a law. For a long time were ALL Emirati women to marry only a Emirati man. Today, women from the UAE getting married men from other GCC states. Starting this year their children will have the opportunity to be then Emirati nationals. Previously this was only possible if the father was an Emirati.

[USGirl]

Originally Posted by Isotta

For what it's worth, I never heard of Shaikh Zayed requiring Sheiks to marry only Shaikhas. He did encourage (not require only encouraged) Emiratis to marry Emiratis; and it is difficult to acquire Emirati citizenship to this day. I do believe that Zayed wanted to champion the continuation of Emirates' customs and tradition in the modern world he helped create. Correct me if I am wrong here (but my spell check has also corrected things to the point where I am not certain of which is right, so please don't bother with that).

Isotta - I believe it's a Shiekha not all Shiekha. Still can't find this document. Don't know if it's in his autobiography, however, it's clearly his earlier work. He did rule several years prior to becoming President. Unfortunately, this question is taking an "inappropriate turn" so I'm going to leave it. When I find it, I'll be sure to post.

By the way, only a childish person will worry about your spelling...I understood every word. Thanks.

[Imanmajed]

Originally Posted by jikodi

My point is, is it practical considering the political turbulance in the Arab world, P Haya's marriage to Sheikh Mohammed and the reaction to it for any of Sheikh Mo's sons to marry a non-Emirati, non-Arab or non-Muslim and it was known to the public. I also wonder if this applies in the Maktoum family officially or unofficially:

I hope Sheikh mo's sons marry women who will be seen and photographed in public.

Sheikh Mo officially married twice. He also has other marriages that have been unofficially closed. I am aware that it is difficult for foreigners to understand our culture.

Your last point: Time will be changed! You can change the look of a city in 10 years, completely, but to change the traditions of a country, we need 100 years and more. Sometimes traditions such as these remain as they are - even if you can not understand why.

[Imanmajed]

Originally Posted by Isotta

For what it's worth, I never heard of Shaikh Zayed requiring Sheiks to marry only Shaikhas. He did encourage (not require only encouraged) Emiratis to marry Emiratis; and it is difficult to acquire Emirati citizenship to this day. I do believe that Zayed wanted to champion the continuation of Emirates' customs and tradition in the modern world he helped create. Correct me if I am wrong here (but my spell check has also corrected things to the point where I am not certain of which is right, so please don't bother with that).

absolutely right. He did encourage (not forced) to marry Emiratis other Emiratis; The TRADITIONS he saw as important for the future at the United Arab Emirates. Because in his words: who has no past (who can forget his roots) has no future.

[jikodi]

Iman, as an Emirati, do you think your fellow Dubaians/Emiratis would accept if CP Hamdan or either of Sh Mo's sons married a foreign royal, a non-Muslim, a non-Arab or a non-Emirati as his official wife? How would you rate each on a scale of 1 to 10 for adverse reaction (10 being totally unacceptable and 1 being totally acceptable)? Example: a foreign royal (your score)

[Imanmajed]

Originally Posted by jikodi

Iman, as an Emirati, do you think your fellow Dubaians/Emiratis would accept if CP Hamdan or either of Sh Mo's sons married a foreign royal, a non-Muslim, a non-Arab or a non-Emirati as his official wife? How would you rate each on a scale of 1 to 10 for adverse reaction (10 being totally unacceptable and 1 being totally acceptable)? Example: a foreign royal (your score)

I`m one Emirati only, I´m not a complete society with a uniform opinion. Therefore I can only answer the question on my person out.

official wife for CP HH Sheikh Hamdan
a foreign arab royal (1)
a foreign royal (4)
a non-Muslim (10)
a non Arab (7)
a non Emirati (4)

official wife for other unmarried sons of HH Sheikh Mo
a foreign arab royal (1)
a foreign royal (2)
a non-Muslim (10)
a non Arab (4)
a non Emirati (2)

For inofficial wifes all point the same - (1) for all unmarried Sheikhs, because marriage of an inofficial wife is their private affair only. There will always be those who are concerned and others who find it ok.

[LV_GiRL]

i am sure 100% that everyone will be surprised with CP Hamdan's choice of wife. He's what you can call it a "modern prince," therefore i can see traditions being broken and a lot of people going... "WOW"!

[jikodi]

Thanks Iman! Would it really be that bad if hamdan or his brothers married a non-Muslim? Why is this the case? What about a non-Muslim foreign royal (Christian or Jewish)?

Any other Emiratis want to add their input?

[dazzling]

Originally Posted by LV_GiRL

i am sure 100% that everyone will be surprised with CP Hamdan's choice of wife. He's what you can call it a "modern prince," therefore i can see traditions being broken and a lot of people going... "WOW"!

Being modern doesn't mean he has to break from tradition.
Hamdan seems like a very traditional person, he is very into tradition and tradition habits, sports etc. Hamdan does not seem like a person who will marry a non-emarati as a first wife and if he marries a an Emarati commoner that will be fine as many Sheikh's do.

[dazzling]

A lot of Sheikha's on their wedding day do wear tiaras which are later kept and handed do their children on their wedding day or converted into a necklace.

[LV_GiRL]

Originally Posted by dazzling

Being modern doesn't mean he has to break from tradition.
Hamdan seems like a very traditional person, he is very into tradition and tradition habits, sports etc. Hamdan does not seem like a person who will marry a non-emarati as a first wife and if he marries a an Emarati commoner that will be fine as many Sheikh's do.

Thanks for your opinion Dazzling. i still think that Hamdan will surprise everyone out with his choice of future wife.

[Imanmajed]

Originally Posted by jikodi

Thanks Iman! Would it really be that bad if hamdan or his brothers married a non-Muslim? Why is this the case? What about a non-Muslim foreign royal (Christian or Jewish)?

It is not really bad. But we love our traditions. It is acceptable in the eyes of many Emiratis when he marries a Muslim. But I think that an official marriage with a non-muslim would be difficult for the wife. Sometimes the sheikh more than one wife. Do you believe that a Christian woman would accept that? If the couple has children, then these Muslims and would grow in that faith. Can a Christian or Jewish woman do this?

We have a saying in Arabic: The stranger is blind, although he can see. This explains that for a non-emiraty it would be very difficult to come to terms with our traditions unconditionally. And just this absolute respect and acceptance of our traditions for the future wife of a CP is very important if she want to exist in our society.

[Imanmajed]

Originally Posted by dazzling

Being modern doesn't mean he has to break from tradition.
Hamdan seems like a very traditional person, he is very into tradition and tradition habits, sports etc. Hamdan does not seem like a person who will marry a non-emarati as a first wife and if he marries a an Emarati commoner that will be fine as many Sheikh's do.

That is absolutely correct. I think his first official wife will be a UAE national or at least an Arab Mulim. That will be good for the future of our country. Should he marry more women unofficially, it does not matter where those come from or what religion they have. This is his personal private matter only.

[Kalila18]

Originally Posted by Imanmajed

That is absolutely correct. I think his first official wife will be a UAE national or at least an Arab Mulim. That will be good for the future of our country. Should he marry more women unofficially, it does not matter where those come from or what religion they have. This is his personal private matter only.

Personally I think it would be the best for the good of the UAE too. Sometimes it's just hard for outsiders to fully incorporate themselves. Not saying that it is impossible, it would just be very hard.