غرام is an online (web/app) and offline (chart crossing male partner sects with female partner sects) portal that allows youth to choose the gender, age and sect of each person in the relationship, and receive information about the marriage, divorce, custody and inheritance laws that apply for their particular scenario. e.g A Sunni Muslim man can marry a Christian woman without her having to convert, but a Muslim woman cannot marry a Christian man without converting. The portal also offers testimonials from mixed couples about their experiences.
January 29, 2012
3:49 am
The challenge:
Some youth are for, and others are against mixed marriage. However, even those who are for mixed marriage experience difficulties. Even though they have no objection to having a relationship or getting married to someone from a different sect, they often hesitate or withdraw from that relationship because of social pressures from family, relatives and community. These participants feel isolated because they might not know many in their social network who are in a similar situation. They feel excluded and alienated from a community that doesn’t give them the support and empowerment to pursue a relationship they are confident in. Additionally, they are unaware of the laws and rights attached to mixed marriage. They hear from their network that it’s prohibited, impossible, difficult or shameful. Mixed marriage laws and rights are confusing in Lebanon, with very different procedures applying based on the gender, sect and age of each person in the relationship. However, there are a number of possibilities in public policy for mixed marriage either through converting one’s sect on paper, or through civil marriage abroad. Therefore, the key barriers around Sect and Marriage are alienation from the community and a lack of awareness of mixed marriage policies.
The idea:
An online (web/app) and offline (chart crossing male partner sects with female partner sects) portal that allows youth to choose the gender, age and sect of each person in the relationship, and receive information about the marriage, divorce, custody and inheritance laws that apply for their particular scenario. e.g A Sunni Muslim man can marry a Christian woman without her having to convert, but a Muslim woman cannot marry a Christian man without converting. The portal also offers testimonials from mixed couples about their experiences.
The aim:
Young mixed couples more aware of how their marriage rights vary depending on their sectarian identities. This would empower them to (1) find a clear pathway towards a mixed marriage procedure and (2) become more engaged in the ongoing battle towards shared marriage laws for all Lebanese.
