response to Penelope, Algerian men

Submitted by Lina (United Kingdom), Mar 8, 2013 at 20:48

Hi Penelope

Wow, it's been a few years since I've been on here... anyway to respond, the great majority of the time Algerian men will want to raise their children as Muslims. There are exceptions, but it really depends on the man, and from what I can see he has quite a few outer influences. It would help if you answered the following...

1.) What age group is he?

2.) What is he like? Does he go to mosque? Is he tolerant towards other religions etc? Do you share future plans etc?

3.) When you say he's strict, how strict exactly?

For what it's worth my father is Moroccan and my sister and I have never been forced into Islam, although some of his relatives go to mosque up to 3 times a day. He is not religious at all and doesn't even fast during Ramadan. I've also had an Algerian bf that wasn't religious (but wasn't a great person). However, my advice would be to not even consider children yet because the last thing you need is for children to grow up emotionally conflicted (and it's usually them that suffer the most)

A few facts about North African men:

- In the end they usually use their head over their heart, meaning they do the "safe" thing rather than taking risks, eg. convenience rather than love

- Most are looking for someone that's trustworthy, modest, can cook and is good with kids

- Family always comes first for North Africans. They will not abandon their family over a woman. It's their duty to cater mostly to their mothers' whims. So your main aim now is to try and get her to accept your proposition of allowing your kids to choose their faith. Place emphasis on the idea that God exists - whether it's a Christian or a Muslim God - and your future children will be aware of that, and all the values that come with religion. They will also respect Islam.

One other thing you would need to watch out for is that if the two of you married he might take a U-turn on his modern ways. Anyway, it's a good thing that he is allowing you to express yourself. But for now just test the waters... feel free to ask anything else!

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