• English Site
• > Under the Scope

Yemen

"Love Comes After The Wedding"

Amin, 28, works in the German Embassy in Sanaa. His fiancee is 19 and just finished high school. Her name cannot be revealed. They were interviewed separately because, as tradition dictates, they won't see each other until the day they marry. The proposal was in March.

Anna Seeger

Amin's fiancée isn't on the photo -- he doesn't know what she looks like either.

Amin: In five to six months, inshallah (God willing)!

Fiancée: My fiancée can answer that question better than I can.

How did you meet?

Amin: My mother often visits my fiancée's family, since they're our neighbors. One day she said to me: "Amin, there's a wonderful woman for you." My fiancée was asked whether she wanted to marry me, and she said yes. The entire family approved, and dates were made for the families to get to know each other better. My uncle and the bride's father negotiated all the details, the bride price and the dowry. I'll see her on the day of the wedding.

What do you know about your future wife / your future husband?

Amin: I only know what my mother has told me: her name, that she is 19 years old, that she has long hair and that she's finished high school. My fiancée probably knows more about me than I know about her. She also possesses a photo of me.

What does love mean to you?

Amin: Love comes with marriage.

Fiancée: Love comes after the wedding. It's very important for living together.

What do you wish for?

Amin: A family, children, peace, an understanding wife who loves me.

Fiancée: A good husband who is aware of his responsibility for me and for us.

For reasons of data protection and privacy, your IP address will only be stored if you are a registered user of Facebook and you are currently logged in to the service. For more detailed information, please click on the "i" symbol.

Post to other social networks:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•