‘It’s a profession I learnt from my grandmother’

Matchmaker Umm Hamood confirmed that she has been in the industry for more than 26 years now. Bringing a couple together is a ‘profession’ she learnt from her grandmother, who used to join her in weddings and engagement parties.

“My grandmother made me love this profession since childhood. It all started when I managed to arrange the marriage of the daughters of my neighbours and relatives. From there, my matchmaking activity grew until I formed my own licensed company called ‘Halal Marriage Seekers’,” she said.

Umm Hamood explained she would communicated with prospective grooms by phone and get to know his idea of a wife. “I would also visit houses, including those of unmarried girls, in order to find the perfect match for a marriage.”

She wasn’t used to doing it all online, she said. But then she was eventually compelled to use the social media as it became a instant way to community with customers. Besides, there has also been a rise in the use of digital communication tools. How much does it cost Explaining her service fees, she said: “I have set an amount of Dh5,000 for those seeking marriage, both male and female. This includes linking a prospective couple, getting them to initiate a conversation, and opening a file which provides them with personal data, such as name, age, job, place of residence.”

“All information will be kept confidential,” she stressed.

Then, once a marriage contract is signed, Dh15,000 shall be paid by the applicant.

Many men, she said, intent to marry women with a high level of education and within the age of 30 to 43. Some also prefer secret marriages, which means families are not supposed to know. All these preferences are taken into consideration in offering the service, she said.

It all started when I managed to arrange the marriage of the daughters of my neighbours and relatives. My matchmaking activity grew until I formed my own licensed company.” umm Hamood, matchmaker