Thank you all for your comments. You have enlightened me. Like Herne I was having the same question in my mind since I came to Qatar. Special credit to Gypsy for her ability to put together such a wise comment.

Just another question. What is the position of the woman if she finds out (after marriage) that she can't love the man? Can she "escape"? Does society and especially the family circle tolerate divorce? Does she or maybe he (I have no idea) stay with a person they don't love for a lifetime?

May the roof above us never fall in, and may the friends below never fall out!