In recent years, the landscape of Muslim marriages in the United Kingdom has undergone significant transformations, reflecting a dynamic interplay of cultural, religious, and societal factors. As the UK’s Muslim population continues to grow and diversify, so too do the challenges and opportunities surrounding the institution of marriage within this community.
Hajji Mostafa Mohammad Karim, founder of Muslim Marriage Services (MMS), has taken a transformative role in improving the security and process of Muslim matrimony. MMS is the world’s only Certified Social Enterprise Muslim matrimony brand, focused on digital security, activism, and social impact. MMS works with students and young professionals across various universities and organizations in the United Kingdom and beyond to help resolve the global Muslim marriage crisis and bring potential marriage partners who are actively looking together.
“Instead of being in the hands of the ‘aunty’s network’, we wanted to build something to ensure that the next generation of Muslims have an easier time finding a marriage partner than us,” says founder and CEO, Hajji Mostafa Mohammad Karim. “Muslim Marriage Services is providing a huge verified pool of possible partners to choose from, not just 5 people put forward by the aunty’s network. Not just strangers on a website who could be anybody. It takes time to find the right match and working with various university societies will help those seriously looking for a matrimonial partner.”
What are the principles of MMS?
At the heart of its mission, Muslim Marriage Services (MMS) operates in strict accordance with Islamic principles. These principles form the foundational basis upon which the organization has been established. In catering to second-generation British Muslims, MMS recognizes the unique challenges they encounter as they seek to find compatible life partners within the context of their cultural and religious identities.
Marriage is a community responsibility and is a very important part of Islam. It’s actually half the faith. The Muslim matrimony market is the world’s largest. However, even with the growth of technology and marriage apps, Muslim men and women looking for lifelong marriage partners with similar religious backgrounds and cultural values have found it increasingly difficult due to many reasons e.g. too much choice and unrealistic expectations.
The situation is even more complicated due to Muslim women outperforming Muslim men academically and financially. Most Muslim women look to marry someone they can connect with and in the faith. Here are a few thoughts on the matter:
- Timing and Cultural Factors: Marriage timing can be influenced by cultural norms, religious beliefs, and personal choices. While some people may choose to marry early, others might prioritize education, career, or personal development before settling down. Respecting these choices and avoiding making sweeping judgments about the right age to marry is essential.
- Traditional Networks and Methods: Traditional matchmaking methods, such as relying on family networks or marriage bureaus, can be effective for some individuals, but they might not work for everyone. Modern technology and online platforms have also become popular ways to connect with potential partners across different backgrounds and geographies.
- Individual Journeys: Every person’s journey is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to finding a life partner. Some individuals may marry later in life and still find meaningful and successful relationships. Others might choose not to marry at all and find fulfillment in other aspects of life.
- Communication and Openness: Effective communication and open discussions within communities can help address some of the challenges people face when seeking marriage partners. Encouraging open dialogue about personal preferences, expectations, and challenges can help reduce stigma and create a more supportive environment.
- Personal Growth: Instead of focusing solely on finding a partner, it’s also important for individuals to focus on personal growth, self-discovery, and becoming the best versions of themselves. A healthy and fulfilling marriage often thrives on the foundation of two well-rounded individuals coming together.
- Adapting to Change: Societal norms are constantly evolving, and how people approach relationships and marriage is also changing. It’s important to be adaptable and open to new ways of connecting and building relationships.
Revolutionizing Muslim matrimonial safety & fun
UK studies reveal a disturbing fact: romance fraud is on the rise, costing both government and individuals nearly £92 million in 2021. This financial deception, coupled with the sad reality of a 42% divorce rate among British Muslims and a 31% rate within North American Muslim communities, highlights the pressing need for innovative solutions that provide comprehensive protection, ensuring both security and financial well-being for individuals.
MMS offers a range of verification options, including Enhanced DBS/Global police checks and the ability to upload additional documents for level 2 & 3 verifications. This information is meticulously cross-checked with digital IDs, adding an extra layer of security to profile verification. Ensuring the authenticity of user profiles to guarantee the security and reliability within the platform.
With the incorporation of an Extended Validation Site Security Certification, MMS has become the first and only matrimonial service on the planet to include this in their website. This certification represents the highest level of validation for website security, signifying that MMS has undergone rigorous scrutiny to prove its legitimacy and commitment to safeguarding user information.
Another concern in Muslim marriage sites is the effectiveness of online chaperones (Guardians/Mahrams), that provide optional Guardian chat monitoring. MMS platform has introduced the patent-free Dynamic Guardian Monitoring System, an innovative feature designed to discreetly oversee and secure ward profiles. This innovative system was designed to secure various aspects of ward profiles, including photos, videos, communication, and matches, serving as a robust protective barrier. By offering complete transparency between potential partners and their families, this system reaffirms MMS’s commitment to ensuring a safe and trustworthy online environment for its users.
MMS has also incorporated the Big 5 Personality Quiz into its platform, which represents a significant step forward. This tool empowers individuals to delve into their own personalities and preferences, gaining valuable insights that go beyond surface-level compatibility achieved by video meetings. By harnessing this invaluable data, MMS aims to improve the matchmaking process, setting a pioneering benchmark in the world of Muslim matrimony. Moreover, this personality quiz is available with Social Impact and Zenith Premium memberships. It’s important to note that 50% of the profits generated are dedicated to supporting deprived global communities, regardless of their faith or background.
What type of questions are asked when looking for a marriage partner?
The survey designed by MMS includes the typical questions that would be asked when people look to get married e.g., name, age, location, etc. However, to preserve one’s privacy, they made it an option for respondents to state their names. They also asked interesting questions not typically seen when building an online matrimonial profile, such as thoughts on polygamy, religion, hobbies, and more.
To advertise their services, MMS uses Facebook for survey advertising as well as Instagram to promote their survey and matrimonial services, with the option for all to share with all family and friends.
If you would like to take a look at their survey, MMS invites you to visit their website and start the survey and learn more about them.
Muslim Marriage Services + QuestionPro = Making the Future Brighter For The Next Generation
After 5 years of market research and development, MMS was able to launch its website, designed to be the world’s most secure and trusted Muslim matrimony platform. While most sites lack basic ID verification from its members to safeguard its own users, MMS partnered with Yoti, a world leader in AI-powered biometrics, to ensure that users are who they claim to be.
The focus is very much on marriage, and with that in mind, future plans include live marriage events and a mobile app. MMS has partnered with Insightology (UK) giving Zenith Premium members access to emotional support on their journey to matrimony.
In their pursuit of an efficient survey tool, MMS was looking for a cost-effective and user-friendly survey platform. Their requirements were straightforward: they needed a platform capable of accommodating unlimited responses and delivering top-tier support. As a nonprofit organization, fiscal responsibility was paramount, and they were determined to find a solution that aligned with their commitment to prudent financial management.
The organization’s journey led them to QuestionPro, a platform that stood out from the rest. What set QuestionPro apart was its generous provision of free licenses to nonprofit organizations, a gesture that seamlessly aligned with their mission and budgetary considerations.
Moreover, their market research data provided compelling validation for their choice. It became clear that a substantial 75% of respondents were willing to invest between £10 and £30 per month for a year-long subscription, granting them secure online access to a digitally verified database of profiles. This data reaffirmed their decision and underscored the relevance of their mission.
As they embarked on the process of collecting market research data, they dedicated approximately three months to this endeavor. This timeframe allowed them to diligently collect the insights and feedback necessary to make informed decisions for their organization’s future.
“QuestionPro is fantastic, supportive, and innovative. I would recommend QuestionPro as they were most helpful in answering our questions before partnering up with them. Surveys are a central part of our business and anyone designing surveys needs to get it right by choosing world-class tools and support. For us, that’s QuestionPro.”
– Founder and CEO (Chief Evangelism Officer) of Muslim Marriage Services, Hajji Laird Mostafa Mohammad Karim.
