When Alhurani told his mother he would participate in the singles event, “she was very excited for me,” he said. “Family has always been very important for me. The traditional way of meeting people in our community happens through introductions and who you know. ”

It was a beautiful experience and I met a lot of new people

In a survey before the event, they asked about beliefs and preferences, about personality, things you are willing to compromise on and things you aren’t. If they have someone that matches, you are invited to join the event.

“Some people are shy or feel weird or awkward to be at an event like this. But it didn’t feel like that. They break it down for you. From the time you come in, there is structure. You follow instructions. And the guy who was the host was super relaxed and laid back. There are transitions where you switch tables and participate with others in a very engaging way.

“At the end of the event, even if you don’t find someone, it was entertaining and worth your time to be there. ”

A 27-year-old woman from Milwaukee who asked not to be named added, “Leaving aside the whole single aspect, it was a really a good way of meeting new people which I appreciated. Ever since I graduated college, I wasn’t able to attend many events where you can meet people.” She occasionally attends big events at ISM but they are not conducive to meeting potential matches, she said.

She also liked the games they played because “you see a different side of the person rather than just asking them questions.”

She would tell other young women to go to an event like this to enjoy it. “I would say go in with an opened mind. Don’t expect anything. Just be yourself and have fun.”

Zeeshan Sabih, Imam Ameer Hamza and Abdullah Akhtar helped clean Milwaukee beaches in one of ISM Young Adults Professionals’ service projects. Akhtar https://datingranking.net/instanthookups-review/ is a member of the YA P Leadership Team.

A 24-year-old Milwaukee man who asked not to be identified decided to attend because it was “the right time in his life.” The mechanical engineer had secured a well-paying position at work, purchased a home and cars. “I’m in a good position, comfortable and ready to take on more responsibility. Friends are getting engaged and married. And on top of it, the parents are asking, ‘Hey, is anyone on your mind?’”

Although he didn’t meet his match at the event, he says he would definitely participate again. “The event was very well done. I definitely made friends with some guys and we now speak regularly since the event. That is something I didn’t anticipate.”

Since we moved here, we haven’t been very connected with the South Side community, so this was an exciting opportunity for me

He also found it was lots of fun. “I remember the host at the beginning of the event said, ‘It’s super quiet. I promised us by the end of the night, it’s going to be very loud in here. You guys are all going to be talking, and he was spot on.”

The YA P Leadership Team met after the event to talk about what went well and what could be improved, said Alhurani. “We talked about if it would be worthwhile to do it again. The answer was absolutely yes.”

“I think people were pleased with how above board it was,” Selmane said. “We had chaperones, the imam was there, group activities. Everything was very appropriate.”