Why some Egyptians prefer Syrian wives
Syrian women in Egypt are sought after by some Egyptian men who think they are preferable to their Egyptian counterparts, amid fears of exploitation of their financial status.
For as long as the Syrian war has raged, there have been stories throughout the Middle East about Syrian refugee women being in demand for marriage — sometimes willingly, sometimes not. Egypt is no exception.
It is hard to judge whether marriage between Syrian women and Egyptian men is in fact a phenomenon on the rise since 2011 or an exaggerated situation. But there is no shortage of stories.
Umm Ammar, who is in her 30s, became a widow when her husband died in an accident. As a now "single" refugee, she is one of many Syrian women sought out by Egyptian men who consider them the perfect partners — often for reasons far from flattering, such as low dowries. This phenomenon has sparked controversy in Egyptian and Syrian circles.
“This is harassment, rather than a marriage proposal," she told Al-Monitor about a recent run-in with an Egyptian man. “What can I say? An old man whose teeth have almost fallen out asked me to give him my number. He said he wanted a Syrian bride because his first wife was not feeling well.”
