Fatima Muhammad

Saudi Gazette

 

JEDDAH — “Kattaba”, translated loosely as “matchmaking”, is a flourishing business in the Kingdom because conservative Saudi society allows men and women to meet only once before their official engagement.



Women in this business can generate anything between SR3,500 and SR6,000 for each marriage they arrange.



Many kattabas demand a first installment of at least SR500 from clients looking for potential husbands or wives.



This amount increases if the client is an employed woman looking for a husband.



Traditionally, matchmaking used to be carried out only by influential women in each town. They normally tour houses and look for beautiful young girls who might be great options for men.



However, kattabas are going with the flow and are now creating their own accounts on social media. They also consider their work serious and are printing business cards.



Um Bassam, a Saudi woman in her mid-40s, tours around famous malls and hotels to distribute her business card.



The card notes the different services Um Bassam provides, which include selling perfumes, real estate marketing, organizing ceremonies and marriage services.



Um Bassam told Saudi Gazette she has been doing this business for 18 years. So far she has recruited a few employees who help her and said she offers two types of marriages — the regular kind and misyar marriages where couples marry but the wife gives up certain rights such financial support.



Discussing the information they ask their clients for, Um Bassam said: “We ask about the family they belong to, their physical features, their jobs and so on. We also note the characteristics they demand in their potential spouses.”



In the past, men would seek help to get women who would agree to have misyar marriages. However, Um Bassam claims that women are now seeking this kind of marriage more than men.



Discussing the variety of services she offers, Um Bassam said: “They are all related; when a marriage is arranged people would need these services.



“My clients would always ask me if I can help in organizing their wedding ceremony, while others would ask for my help to promote their land or any real estate they have.”



On Twitter, Um Abdullah introduces herself as a kattaba from the western region who has good connections. Her account has over 6,100 followers. She posts the profiles of potential spouses and asks her followers to contact her directly if they are interested in any of them.



Um Abdullah has clients of different ages and nationalities. She posts a description for each potential client, including listing their tribes if applicable, their age, number of children they have, their skin color and whether they work for the private or public sector.