Transcript for the Piece Audio version of Muslim Speed Dating
TRACK 1: At a Days Inn Hotel in Alexandria, forty singles mingle over dinner. At one table, a former Southern Baptist with a fiery red beard talks about how he once wanted to become a preacher. Nearby sits an engineer... she's the daughter of Indian immigrants. Her long, black Bollywood-esque hair swoops over her gold hoop earrings. Across the room, an African-American woman wearing a head scarf chats with a man from Cuba.
Although the diversity in the room is startling, attendees shares a common thread. They're Muslim... and their tradition teaches that getting married is a large part of the faith. And, so they've come tonight to fulfill their religious duty. But also to see whether they'll find a match.
TRACK 2: That's Hafza Gulam - the engineer. She never thought Muslim singles events would work, but she's beginning to change her mind. It's a Wednesday, and tonight she's battled rush hour traffic to get here. Her parents have been relentless about her 'finding a man.'
TRACK 3: The night begins with a round of bingo, Islamic style... with questions like "what do you enjoy about Ramadan"
Religion plays a strong role in the program, as Imam Magid explains. He and his wife head the Companionships organization.
TRACK 4: Imam Magid calls himself a matchmaker. He doesn't pair couples together, but he offers them this forum.
TRACK 5: Bathsheba Philpot is in her mid-30s. She converted to Islam 10 years ago.
TRACK 6: Despite the social pressure, Bathsheba believes the Islamic setting simplifies the dating discussion.
TRACK 7: As she closes the night, Amaarah, the Imam's wife, offers a few words of encouragement.
TRACK 8: Within minutes, Hafza gives Amaarah her email address. She thinks she may have met a "special someone" here tonight. For next generationradio, this is Asma Khalid
