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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask what you think when you see a white woman and a Muslim man?

316 replies

Weallknowfrogsgo · 29/04/2024 08:12

White non markedly Muslim or other wise woman and a Muslim man together, clearly in a relationship? What do you think?

as this is an anonymous forum, please do be honest.

after that thread about the woman marrying and arab, it strikes me that a lot of people have some quite strong opinions on this, and the convert to Islam threads on here also have been quite telling

disclaimer this is me, despite living in a very multicultural place, we do get looks here and there and boundless questions on our relationship that tbh aren’t very appropriate to ask a stranger whenever we meet new people. And if we go someplace less diverse the looks are more apparent.

OP posts:
Battlerope · 10/09/2024 09:44

We have mixed marriages on both sides of our family so I don’t think anything of it.

NeverEnoughPants · 10/09/2024 10:09

You really shouldn't put words in my mouth. My posts have been very neutral in tone, but you are making huge leaps.

I didn't say I didn't like it (I mean, I don't 'like it', but I don't dislike it either. I don't have any strong feelings either way, honestly) - and I didn't say that I need you to answer my question. I merely made an observation that you didn't, while responding in a manner that appears very defensive.

I was just wondering if you'd had a recent experience of islamaphobia, or had seen something on the news recently about it, which had lead you to finding this thread. Maybe you should take your own advice of 'getting to know people for who they are' before you shout them down.

Alina3 · 10/09/2024 10:11

I'm white, married to an Indian Sikh. The only dodgy looks and comments and issues we've had have been from other Asians. They're agog seeing my spouse walking around holding hands with and having a child with a white woman. Never had a single comment or look from anyone white!

bluegentian · 10/09/2024 10:14

I am still trying to understand the point of this thread.

NeverEnoughPants · 10/09/2024 10:17

bluegentian · 10/09/2024 10:14

I am still trying to understand the point of this thread.

Really? Op says in the very first post that they are in such a relationship, and has had inappropriate looks and questions.

So imo, the point is that they want to know what others think, based on their own experiences.

Edingril · 10/09/2024 10:20

No offence but would you assume we think anything it is not relevant to any of us

Other people are not really that interesting, not counting friends, family etc.

bluegentian · 10/09/2024 10:25

So imo, the point is that they want to know what others think, based on their own experiences.

But does it really matter what random people think. The OP should be confident and happy with her choice unless she plans to alter life after receiving feedback. That would be really sad.

NeverEnoughPants · 10/09/2024 10:28

Edingril · 10/09/2024 10:20

No offence but would you assume we think anything it is not relevant to any of us

Other people are not really that interesting, not counting friends, family etc.

What makes you think op is assuming anything? It's much easier to ask 'what do you think when...?' than 'if you think anything at all, what do you think when...?'

It's an open question, inviting a variety of responses, one of which could easily be 'i don't think anything'.

Oh and btw, I mean this in the best way, but I couldn't disagree with you more. Other people can be some of the most interesting people you could meet. See those friends you have? They were other people once... 😊

SerendipityJane · 10/09/2024 10:33

Eviebeans · 29/04/2024 08:18

Not wanting to be difficult but how would the casual passerby be able to tell that the man was Muslim?

Maybe they have to wear a special badge ?

NeverEnoughPants · 10/09/2024 10:33

bluegentian · 10/09/2024 10:25

So imo, the point is that they want to know what others think, based on their own experiences.

But does it really matter what random people think. The OP should be confident and happy with her choice unless she plans to alter life after receiving feedback. That would be really sad.

You could say the same thing about any thread on Mumsnet. Why bother posting, because it doesn't matter what random people think. But it can matter a lot. Mumsnet has helped a lot of people, some of whom have come back to tell us how much their life has improved.

I don't get the impression that op is thinking of dumping their partner based on other people's thoughts though. I think they maybe want to better understand why they get the looks and comments that they do. Or maybe get people to think about their own prejudices.

I think using an online forum to get a wide target audience in order to ask a question about other people's perceptions is perfectly valid, personally.

gannett · 10/09/2024 10:59

DonnaBanana · 29/04/2024 08:15

I mean it’s uncommon but I wouldn’t be bothered or interested enough to look or ask questions but I see why some people would. A lot of British people turn into suspicious mediaeval peasants when confronted with novelty or concepts outside of their usual range.

Funny how this was the second reply and the entire ensuing thread is basically Exhibit A for this.

PeaceandLovelittledude · 10/09/2024 11:24

Weallknowfrogsgo · 29/04/2024 08:45

But a Muslim woman wouldn’t marry a non Muslim would she

Well I did, so yes it happens.

Starbugg · 10/09/2024 11:36

bluegentian · 10/09/2024 10:14

I am still trying to understand the point of this thread.

There was a thread at the same time about a woman going abroad with her muslim boyfriend to have an Islamic wedding. Majority of the posts were along the lines of be careful, are you crazy, why would you marry a Muslim, make sure you keep your passport so he doesn’t keep you there, and so on. This thread was on the back of that.

There seem to be a couple of threads about Muslims and Islam again, and every now and then MN gets a flux of them so I’m guessing it’s time for it again.

Starbugg · 10/09/2024 11:36

PeaceandLovelittledude · 10/09/2024 11:24

Well I did, so yes it happens.

As did I!

fliptopbin · 10/09/2024 12:03

Wouldn't give it a second thought, if I noticed at all.

TheWayTheLightFalls · 10/09/2024 12:13

I dated a (Persian) muslim for a time, as a Jew (yes my family were truly delighted!). I remember him always feeling sorry for women who’d converted/reverted, but we never explored in detail why he felt that way. When I see a couple like that now, I only remember his feelings about the situation. I suppose it is unusual enough that it’d catch most people’s attention.

As a white-passing woman with a visibly Muslim man all I felt was that I was with someone who I loved and was compatible with. We didn’t stay the course but that wasn’t down to religious differences.

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