Thought this was interesting… a side issue: the article’s title is kindof funny, Appear on reality TV and win an arranged marriage. This “Hawa Sawa” tv show is the same type of format followed in ‘western’ shows like The Bachelor/Bachelorette, Who wants to marry a millionaire, Average Joe, etc. Aren’t those also arranged marriages in a way ? Or am i mistaken? The article mentions that family members will be on hand to assist the ladies in making this important decision - so the same thing occurred in the other ‘western’ shows as well. They all had family members who helped them to make their decision, and sometimes there were online polls conducted on who the person should marry. What makes the format of Hawa Sawa categorized as an “arranged” marriage and the other western ones weren’t?
Anyways, that’s just my gripe. Here’s the link: Appear on reality TV and win an arranged marriage
A television company is to broadcast a Big Brother-style reality television show for Arab countries in which young women compete to win an arranged marriage.
The eight women chosen will live live together in a house watched over by TV cameras.
They will be introduced to a series of bachelors, with family members on hand to offer advice on who would make a suitable husband, while viewers get the chance to vote for their favourite couples.
[Rest of article accessible via link]