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Gaza's Single Ladies to Hamas: Put a Ring on It

Islamic group sees matchmaking as 'humanitarian work'

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 6, 2009 3:54 PM CDT

(Newser) – Washington deems Hamas a terrorist group, but for Gaza’s lonely single women, the Islamic militant group can be a lifesaver, the AP reports. Hamas runs a “marriage and development” service that finds husbands for hundreds of women, often helping those in their 30s—who are considered spinsters. “This is our vision of humanitarian work,” said the program's director, who charges $10-$70 for the service.

Traditionally, parents arrange marriages, but strapped families delay marrying off working daughters. They generally prefer middle-class men with steady incomes, who prefer fair-skinned women with light-colored hair. Hamas has arranged 40 marriages so far, but its couples lie about their courtship because of taboos. “I want to have a husband,” said one client. "I don't think that's a selfish request.”

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

An employee walks past a large banner that says "The Taysir Association for Marriage and Development" draped next to the ladies entrance of the office in Gaza City. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

In this photo taken Sunday, May 3, 2009, Ashraf Farahat, 36, left and his wife, Rania Hijazi, 28, married in May 2008 through the Taysir Association for Marriage and Development. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

Suhaila Kahlout is head of the women's section of Taysir Association for Marriage and Development, based in Gaza City. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

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My brothers held
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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 5 comments

kokuaguy

Jun 7, 2009 12:21 PM CDT

I hope we will have more information about the mission and work of Hamas. Demonizing this group will only assure less communication and more violence.

Stuart

Jun 7, 2009 7:46 AM CDT

And Hitler made the trains run on time. So lets focus on that and forget that 'killing Jews thing" So what if Hamas sends suicide bombers to murder innocent men, women and children, right? They also help arrange marriages, so they Must be wonderful people!

mehrheit

Jun 7, 2009 2:37 AM CDT

Actually it was Mussolini who was famously known to have made the trains run on time. Not sure that anyone was arguing that Hamas marriage arrangements meant that the whole of Hamas were wonderful people either, unless that's in the linked article, which I didn't read. Godwin, BTW.

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Gaza's Single Ladies to Hamas: Put a Ring on It