JEDDAH, 13 November 2006 — A new website has been launched to help disabled Saudis find marriage partners online. The website (www.afrah-khgh.com) is part of a drive to give disabled people an opportunity to live as normal lives as possible.
The website has so far succeeded in attracting 731 members — 550 males and 181 females. Registered users are able to take advantage of a search engine to find suitable partners according to their age, nationality and social and physical status.
Abdullah Al-Zahrani, the website manager and a marriage official, said, “When a man likes the characteristics of one of the female members then he can send her a private message as a way of finding out more about her.”
He added, “If they match, then the man can ask me for contact details of the woman’s legal guardian in order to formally propose to her.”
Al-Zahrani said that at times female members initiate contact and message male members if they like their details. However, such cases are rare.
The website has so far succeeded in arranging over 30 marriages. Among success stories is that of a young man who suffers from hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body). Al-Zahrani said the young man managed to find a physically-able wife through the website.
The people running the scheme say the website is a networking tool for handicapped people to meet for marriage and do not remain disadvantaged in life.
The website also does not facilitate or accept Misyar marriages (a marriage with special conditions and no financial commitments). Services are only available to registered members.
Among the disabilities that make a person eligible for membership include hemiplegia, sight and hearing problems, height redundancy, epilepsy, mental disabilities, burns, mongolism, obesity, diabetes, infertility, loss of organs, impotency and skin problems.
The handicap matchmaking project began last year. However, the website only began this summer. “We got rid of the office we used to operate from for this website as it is now more accessible and can widely benefit people,” said Al-Zahrani.
