: Internet Dating Reaches The Muslim World

Online dating services such as Match.com have emerged from the dot-com carnage to increasing membership, with significant numbers coming from outside the United States. One of the largest expansion markets for these services may be the Muslim world, as isolated singles move online to find alternatives to traditional marrage opportunities. In the West, Muslims have taken advantage of the Internet to find spouses for years, using sites such as Muslim Match, Nikah Search, Muslim Marraige Link, and (although a little different than the rest, in that people are personally matched) the Islamic Marraige Bureau. One of the newest such groups in America, Muslim Gatherings, is a Silicon Valley-based Muslim singles club that has drawn participants from all over the country that uses “speed dating” style mixers to facilitate introductions. Yes, but does it work? Well, rumor has it that it worked for at least one of the group’s founders.

Shahed Amanullah is editor-in-chief of altmuslim.com.