Netflix announced that the first-ever reality dating show in the Middle East – titled Love Is Blind, Habibi – is set to debut on October 10th. The reality show is *obvi* the Middle Eastern version of its highly popular Western counterpart, Love is Blind, which has aired in North America, South America, as well as Europe (IYKYK).
The Middle East is considered uncharted territory when it comes to dating shows, as opposed to the plethora of romantic reality TV in the West. So, it’s safe to say we’re excited to find out what will go down.
In the Western version of Love is Blind – which we all know and love – the participating cast members fall in love with one another without ever laying eyes on each other.
Once they choose to be together, based on connection alone, the man sees and proposes to the woman (and, in some cases, vice versa). If she says “I do,” the couple head off to a blissful honeymoon vacation on a secluded island, before returning to cohabitate in their home country. This cohabitation period is a crucial factor in their decision to actually get married.
In Middle Eastern societies – where tradition and conservative values reign supreme – such an unregimented romantic sequence would be in tension with the customs and norms upon which Arab marriages are predicated. So naturally, everyone and their mother is curious to know how the Middle Eastern version of the reality TV dating series would potentially pan out in a country as conservative as the UAE.
Wanting to know how the show could work, Cosmo ME has chatted with Mawada Alwazir – a Life Coach and Relationship Expert based in the UAE for over 17 years – to better understand how Love is Blind might play out in the Middle East. Mawada is well-versed in regional traditions, being a Saudi national whose marriage was arranged.
Love Is Blind UAE: Inside Cosmo ME‘s exclusive interview with life and relationship coach, Mawada Alwazir…
Cosmo ME: How would a reality TV dating/marriage series like Love is Blind, Habibi here in the UAE differ from its Western counterparts?
Mawada: I would say that, in many cases, especially in the Gulf, it is normal for a person to get married without seeing their partner. The family agrees, then the couple might see each other once, and then they prepare for marriage straight away. If the girl likes the guy, they could get married this way. Or, they could meet each other and get to know each other under parental supervision – until they whole family eventually meets, that’s another way.
Sometimes they do meet up without their parents knowing, and they get to know each other without their parents’ supervision – eventually leading to their engagement and marriage. But in the Gulf region, it is very typical for couples to meet each other once and get married shortly after. It is absolutely possible for them to build a life together in this way.
That being said, even if they don’t see each other, the couple will absolutely not head off to an island together without getting married. They have to officially be married. It depends on how the family thinks, though.
Depending on the family, and on religion as well, both Christian and Muslim families do arranged marriages.
Cosmo ME: How do you see the show (Love Is Blind UAE) implementing traditional Arab marriage values?
Mawada: I think traditional Arab values are already implemented, based on the way that the show is being portrayed. I just think it needs to adapt to the values of Middle Eastern culture, which requires being more sensitive to the conservative religions that we follow. Sensitivity to Middle Eastern culture is important as well.
Cosmo ME: What’s something you would like to see on Love is Blind UAE? Do you see this show positively impacting young Arab men and women who are ready to get married?
Mawada: The way I see it, this brings us to a certain method of proposing in the Middle East: Sometimes, the groom’s mother sees the bride and chooses her for her son. It works – I don’t see anything wrong with that. But it has to take place with the consent of the bride: the lady has to accept and so does the man.
The issue here for me, I think, is that it’s good for the man and the woman to choose each other without any external influences. There’s going to be a meeting point: Either you’re going to meet in the living room within the home or elsewhere, whether it be in a family context, a mall, a club or whatever. I don’t think people should look at arranged marriages in a negative way, because no matter how a couple gets married, all methods take place at a meeting point, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
The difference is, if you’re meeting the person on your own, you’re meeting them without any supervision or familial/cultural restrictions. That’s ok as well.
But having an arranged marriage is positive in so far as there’s more readiness to commit from the groom’s end, especially for men. I often see that there’s a lot of issues regarding men’s commitment – and I don’t wanna judge men, but they tend to worry.
For men, marriage sort of feels like they’re being bound to one thing. I don’t see that there’s anything wrong with a man wanting to get married, and him finding his mate or his wife without the influence of the mother. This is something people should think about.
Cosmo ME: How do you see the show transforming Western “dating culture” to something that would align with Arab and conservative values?
Mawada: Like I said, it already seems quite aligned with our values – but you just need to be culturally sensitive. In other words, maybe instead of going to an island, the couple could go out to dinner or perhaps meet for lunch with both their families at each other’s houses.
Another factor is deciding on the wedding venue and the importance of communication between the parents. Again, in the Middle East, you have to have the family be a bit more involved, I think.
Another thing to consider is the cultural differences, as the Middle East is very culturally diverse. The culture in Lebanon, Syria and Palestine is different than that in Egypt, Morocco and Libya for instance. Also, the Gulf region has a completely different culture altogether. There are similarities, but there are differences as well. So, the way in which these cultural differences will manifest on Love is Blind, Habibi will be very interesting to see. I think family involvement is very important in the show, which I also think will be exciting for the audience.
On another note, I think that the show will be an excellent opportunity to portray arranged marriages in a positive light, as I believe arranged marriages can work. I personally got married in an arranged way – and it is a great marriage, based on values and what I like.
However, each family is different. Some families don’t even allow you to see the groom whilst other families are less strict. The parents also need to understand that the girl needs to actually meet this person that she’s going to be living with for the rest of her life.
There’s a lot of depth to marriage, so the idea of the mother choosing the bride for her son is I think an issue for me. As for the bride, the girl needs to understand the marriage is not just about planning a wedding; both the bride and the groom need to understand and honour each other’s values and goals. The man has goals and dreams, and so does the woman. She has dreams and goals she wants to achieve. It’s not like you’re going to take a girl and change her the way you want. So, this is something that men and families need to keep in mind as well.
Watch the new trailer for Love is Blind Habibi here:
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