We worked at the same Mexican food restaurant.

We worked at the same Mexican food restaurant. I was attracted to him because he was very hard-working, smart, and conducted himself politely. I was in need of a person to think I was wonderful. He put me on a pedestal and treated me like a queen (even though we were dirt poor) with respect and dignity. Some of the women had already converted to Islam while still single and met their husbands in other ways.

One common way of finding a husband or wife is through advertising in an Islamic magazine or at a matrimonial booth at a Muslim conference. It is not unusual for one who is ready to get married to let Muslim friends know so they can help in looking for a suitable mate. The following excerpts from the questionnaires provide a good overview of the Muslim/Muslim relationship and marriage. +I met my husband through the imam of the mosque. I accepted him because he was religious.

Nothing else really mattered. He had no part in my conversion for I was already a Muslim. My marriage ceremony was all Islamic_ I talked to him for two weeks and then decided to marry him two days before Ramadan 1991. +My marriage was arranged by my request in order to have support (religiously) to help me learn about my deen (my obligations). I asked my wali (the one who arranged the marriage) that the man be a good practicing Muslim which was the only characteristic he needed.

I wanted a husband that would teach me about Islam in depth and to remind me always of Allah (SWT). I was already Muslim. My family didn't know him before the marriage. They met him two days before the ceremony, and he asked my parents' permission to marry me the day before. They didn't like him. Now they tolerate him only. My husband-to-be first came to see me on a Friday night and we were married on the following Sunday afternoon. At our ceremony we invited friends and family.

Our wedding was an Islamic wedding. I wore an Islamic dress, not a white gown. We were in separate rooms. The imam came and asked me if I accept [the man] and what I wanted for my mahar [dowry]. I heard him give a speech about the importance of marriage. At that point my mom walked out saying what a big farce the wedding was. Of course, I cried and was hurt, but we continued the wedding but at a faster pace. +I met my husband through a marriage ad in an Islamic magazine.

A friend of his had put the ad in.