Narrative Conflict: Marrying an American Woman - Essay Example

Narrative Conflict: Marrying an American Woman The US is a very open-minded nation across the globe. While the US is a secular state, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia operates under the Sharia law. Marriage matters in Saudi Arabia are different for instance, it is illegal to poses any form of beverage alcoholic in nature, and women cannot appear in public without the accompaniment of a man either a relative or a guardian anything to the contrary is an offence. In addition, it is illegal to practice any other form of religion other than Islam, importing books with Christian symbols into Saudi Arabia is illegal.

Among others, the symbols are the rosary, the cross, as well as pictures of Jesus Christ. The law allows women to own cars, but it does not allow them to drive. It is prohibited to own a dog in Saudi and women do not have the autonomy to do anything independently without the presence of a man to take care of them. The conflict with my parents emanates from the fact that I want to marry a non-Muslim. However, as a born and brought up Muslim, I intend to take along with me an American girl am currently dating as wife.

She is from a different religion, culture, and my family is no receptive of me taking her in as a wife. The issue has brought up a conflict between my parents and me. Back in Saudi Arabia, some families continue to adopt a liberal approach, but my parents remain among the majority who stick to foundational cultural values. Primarily, I am not supposed to marry my girlfriend because of the difference in religion. Furthermore, my parents hold that Saudi Arabia rules will conflict with her based on the different background of her upbringing.

I have a tense situation where I need to balance so that I do not disappoint both parents and my girlfriend. However, I consider myself a member of the emerging liberal gulf Arab. After highlighting, some of the cultural aspects that I will abide by, my fiancée agreed to them paving way for our planned marriage. One mandatory requirement is for the authorities of Saudi Arabia Kingdom to authorize my marriage to an American girl. It is in our statutory that because I am below the age of thirty-five, I must seek permission from the Saudi government to marry a non-Saudi.

I have set the process of satisfying government regulations in motion but my parents do not approve the entire process. In my explanation, I put it to my parent that as a Muslim faithful, religion allows me to marry a woman of my choice. My parents do not support me engaging government regulations because they know without the permission from the government, the foreign wife cannot enter the kingdom or enjoy benefits entitled to women in Saudi Arabia. I explained to them that an American girl is a tough one who is willing to stand by my side as an emerging liberal Saudi man.

The highlighted problems are constantly causing conflicts with my parents. It was with great joy and enthusiasm that my girlfriend and I received the good news broken to us by my father through Skype that they were more than willing to let us proceed with the marriage. We communicated the same to my girlfriend’s parents ho similarly, received the news with great joy. I am already planning for our wedding based on Muslim traditions in the next couple of months after completing my studies here in the United States.