Americans looking for a life partner generally go out on dates and move from relationship to relationship until they find the right fit. But how do Americans of the Muslim faith find mates when their culture prohibits dating? This lively film follows the stories of a series of devout American Muslim young people pursuing love and marriage and searching for alternatives to arranged marriages.

Mohammad and Ferdaus moved from e-mails and phone calls to family involvement before signing the Nikah, an Islamic marriage contract. Zahra, a law student whose parents are from India, will consider dating only men who can handle her ambitious career goals. Jameelah, an African American Muslim, called off her engagement when she discovered her future in-laws’ prejudicial attitudes toward African Americans, who make up 40 percent of the American Muslim population. After Michelle converted to Islam, she became involved with Muslim matrimonial websites and third-party matchmakers before deciding seeking out a Muslim adoptive family who can guide her through the maze of Muslim courtship in America.

"Illustrate[s] that Muslims are diverse (white, black, and Middle Eastern). It also shows that Muslim youths struggle with some of the same issues, like finding love and happiness, as all other youths. . . Suitable for high school classes and for college courses in social studies and cultural anthropology, anthropology of gender and kinship, and Islamic studies, as well as general audiences."
‒Anthropological Review Database

"Audiences will appreciate this sympathetic and at the same time revealing glimpse into an unfamiliar aspect of the Muslim-American experience. Recommended."
‒Educational Media Reviews Online

Western Psychological Association Convention Festival, 2011
Middle East Studies Association, 2011