Maha and Esad

I'm pictured here with my Muslim friends Maha on the left and Esad on the right who was teaching me Arabic. They are sisters. Maha being 21 and Esad is 24. We are standing in front of the little perfume kiosk. from where Maha sells perfumes. The kiosk is in one ofmany in the malls. Esad now has a new job working from a similar kiosk in another mall. She used to sell sweets and Muslim pastries from a kiosk almost next door to Maha's kiosk.
Maha has just got engaged and the whole process has been fascinating. She met Ibriham the fiance in the mall. He is 29. They talked while he visited her kiosk for about a month and then he went to Maha's father to ask for her hand in marriage. Effectively they really haven't been alone or known each other for any length of time, however he is a nice chap she assures me. Father took some time to make up his mind. Inshallah he would say. (Hopefully soon God willing) The whole family did their bit trying to encourage dad to say yes. After about 8 weeks he gave his blessing and consent and a ring was purchased the week before Christmas and the date set for the summer, some time in July 2010. Her ring is a very wide gold band,much wider than a NZ wedding band, 24 carot and quite yellow. It is completely inlaid with gold and diamond chips, and has a courseness appearance about it all. Enlarged it would resemble the seal on a road, with the rough surface, that is if you would like a more than life like magnification. Now the happy begin to look for a house, close to her parents. Ibriham is Egyptian, having lived here most of his life. From memory he is a real estate agent. Maha and her family are from Lebonan and have here 30 years. I feel Esad is a little sad. While delighted for her sister, she has no man in sight. I was so delighted to be a spectator in the process and share the excitement of the ring. they have been lovely friends to get to know.