Crossing Cultures, Not Alone

(ARAYA CROSS CULTURE ECOSYSYTEM)

Crossing cultures does not have to be lonely.
This is about creating a safe space, an ecosystem, and an environment for
friends of other faiths who are about to enter Islam and plan a wedding,
so that the process has clear, organized steps.

This concept aims to make the nikah, or the wedding,
lead to a smooth blending of two families with different
cultural backgrounds. It also aims to help reduce hurt feelings and misunderstandings between the two sides,
ease pressure and discomfort, and act as a go-between for both families
so that difficult conversations become easier and more organized.

6 Steps to Adjust

1. Preparation from the very beginning of dating,
so the couple builds a correct understanding of each other and correct expectations of each other, and avoids mistakes over cross-cultural issues that could damage a relationship that is just blossoming. Read the article A Buddhist bride marrying into Islam – what should she prepare?

2. Friends of other faiths have questions, and there is a space to talk friend to friend, to ask and express the deep concerns they feel, while at the same time, when there is interest, there is a space for the couple-to-be to get a taste of Islamic culture, and Muslims are also encouraged to learn about and understand the other side’s culture so they can act appropriately toward one another. Click here to ask for guidance on Islamic culture

3. Once ready to learn, a system is set up so people can access teachers, venues, and teaching that is mindful of the feelings of both the learner and the family of a different faith, so that everyone can step across the wall of difference while learning the principles of Islam in an organized way, voluntarily and with an open heart. Click here to ask for guidance on places to study religion

4. Crossing cultures can be a lonely journey – crossing into another world where, even surrounded by many people, one can feel alone. We support having fellow travelers, so the family and the family-to-be begin the journey together, and we encourage a community of fellow cross-culture travelers to form – people to study with, people to talk with, people to give advice – so that on this journey, no one is left behind alone.

5. Once ready to hold the Islamic wedding and wanting ARAYA to take care of it, the event is designed to build a better relationship between the two families – organized according to religious principles, welcoming to guests of other faiths, smooth, professional, beautiful or simple depending on the budget. This part moves into ARAYA’s products and services system. Click to see ARAYA’s products and services

6. We support the building of multicultural families who firmly maintain their Islamic religious practice while being friendly and treating a family of a different faith well – a genuinely multicultural family. And should a problem arise that cannot be resolved, there are still friends and siblings met along the cross-cultural journey to give advice and help plan long-term solutions, always.

Let ARAYA Nikah Planner and Consult take care of this journey in an organized way, to lay a strong foundation for a multicultural family. See you at the next slot at ARAYA House.

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Want to get started? Here’s what to do

This journey is neither hard nor easy – you need to follow the steps with commitment.

1.Build a shared goal Both of you must hold a firm, shared, and matching goal, such as:
->Adjusting to each other, not forcing one another
->Learning about the religion together
->A nikah that is friendly to multiculturalism, or combining the reception to save on budget (holding the event with ARAYA)
->Still being yourself while being ready to be a good Muslim
->Being able to look after a family of a different faith
->Becoming a complete and heartwarming multicultural family

2.Get to know ARAYA Have the groom and both families get to know ARAYA by reading various posts on our Facebook page – what our approach is, and why couples that ARAYA has taken care of have succeeded the way they intended

3.Both families need to understand together Send this link to your partner and their family https://www.arayaweddingplanner.com/araya-cross-culture…/

4. If the couple is ready to learn about the religion, make an appointment to talk with our admin in advance (no charge)

5. Our admin will lay out the direction, study plan, how you will learn, and how you will meet a lovely officiant, and help lay the foundation for a multicultural family (no charge)

6. For the rest, you can carry on by yourselves (no charge), or, if you’d like, ARAYA would be happy to take care of the wedding for you (charges apply according to the products and services)

Steps to Use ARAYA’s Service

1. The couple chooses a service – a date they are interested in for the nikah and reception
2. Discuss initial details, the issues you’d like help resolving
3. Make an appointment to discuss details in person at ARAYA House (no charge)
4. Confirm the team booking, place a deposit to lock in the date (deposit required)
5. Enter ARAYA’s Workshop
6. Before the actual event day, there is an on-site visit, a rehearsal of the schedule, and a review of the plan
7. A joyful nikah on the day you intended, while still keeping your own personal touch within ARAYA’s format

Planning a legally-recognized Nikah in Thailand? Start here →