Dating in the Muslim world is a relatively new phenomenon. The Koran effectively outlaws the practice by frowning upon meetings between single men and women; traditionally, Muslim communities have relied on arranged marriages.

But in recent years, in parallel with an explosion of online dating agencies and “singles’ nights”, dating has begun to make serious inroads into Muslim society, especially in the West. Shabana Mir, author of the excellent Koonj blog, argues that Muslim women need to date and discusses the impact of dating on expatriate Muslim culture in America.