What is a “Meet & Greet” and why is this event happening?
In accordance with instructions from Hazrat Khalifat-ul-Masih V (aba), the USA Rishta Nata (Matrimonial Services) Department will be hosting meet & greet events nationwide. A “meet & greet” event is intended to facilitate private meetings between candidates and their families to find a match for marriage. These events are now being hosted by the USA Rishta Nata Department in the U.S. on the heels of success encountered with such meetings arranged during Jalsa Salana and a similar meet & greet event hosted by the UK Jama’at.
Has the department seen successful matches come out of these programs ?
Yes by the Grace of Allah families introduced through these Meet and Greet programs held at various locations in the USA have finalized the rishtas.
How does a Meet & Greet work?
Members of the Jama’at who would like to have a meeting with a prospective candidate who will attend the meet & greet event and their family for the purpose of seeking a match for marriage will first register online for the specific event they wish to attend.
Members of the USA Rishta Nata Team will then review the registration forms and invite registrants based on matching criteria from the expressed preferences and interests of registered candidates. All candidates will be required to fill out a registration form even if they already have an active profile in the Rishta Nata database so that our team of facilitators can review and recommend matches based on the most current information for each candidate that will attend the event.
What is the intended outcome of a Meet & Greet event?
Inshallah, it is our humble intent to try and facilitate a meeting for everyone that registers and attends the event. However, the possibility always exists that candidates at this particular event may not align with your preferences or vice versa. There will be opportunities to meet with other families of candidates looking for a match by virtue of organized and/or informal interactions that will occur between male family members on the men’s side and female family members on the ladies side. Therefore, if you are actively looking for a match, registering and attending this event is highly encouraged.
Is the Meet & Greet event only open to the members of the local/ neighboring Jamaats?
No. Any Jama’at member from the United States can attend the event as long as they register beforehand and are ready to meet prospective candidates for rishta purposes.
Is registration required to attend this event?
We require attendees to register for this event so we can properly plan to arrange meetings with families.
Am I guaranteed to have a meeting?
A match between candidates would require that the preferences of both candidates are met. It is possible that your criteria and preferences are not met by the candidates attending a particular meet & greet event. Nonetheless, there will be more events like this nationwide, and your chances of meeting prospective candidates may change depending on who attends. The likelihood of having a meeting will also depend on the number of attendees. Your help in promoting and advertising this event is crucial to its success, so please help promote this event in your circles.
Is the Meet & Greet event open to all members who wish to observe even though they are not a candidate or a family member that needs to attend the rishta meeting?
Due to the private nature of the rishta process, anyone that attends that is not a candidate or someone that will need to be in the private rishta meeting between candidates will not be permitted to enter the venue. All members will be permitted to come and offer their prayers at the scheduled prayer timings, which will be announced beforehand by the local Jama’at administration.
Can candidates elect not to attend the event and have their families attend and meet candidates on their behalf?
Based on previous Meet and Greet events, meetings in which the candidate himself or herself is not present are not productive and, therefore, discouraged.
How is privacy being safeguarded during the event?
Maintaining the privacy of all Jama’at members is one of our highest priorities. Each meeting between candidates and their families will take place in a private room. Moreover, all registrants and volunteers will sign a privacy agreement.
Will transportation and accommodation be provided?
Unfortunately, this will not be provided. The local Jama'at will provide refreshments and lunch for all attendees, Insha'Allah.
Is there a dress code?
Dress as for any Jama’at event, with observation of Purdah by men and women.
Will there be more Meet and Greet events in the future?
Insha’Allah, more events are planned throughout the year in various parts of the country as well as at Jalsa Salana USA.
Can I attend without a parent?
It is highly encouraged to be accompanied by a parent or relative if possible. However, in the event you come alone, a member of our team will be there to accompany you for the meeting introductions.
What is the basis of having an established Rishta Nata Department in the Jama’at?
"As with the grace and mercy of Allah and as a result of His blessings, our Jama’at is significantly increasing in number...Hence, it was deemed imperative that, in order to foster the mutual bonds of relationship and to save them from the ill – effects and bad outcomes, a suitable arrangement should be made for the marriage of the boys and girls. Therefore, I have made arrangements that in the future, a book must stay with me with complete secrecy and total confidentiality, wherein the names of girls and boys of the Jama’at are entered. And if the parents of the girl are unable to find a boy in their family who is from the Jama’at, bears good moral character, and is at the level of their satisfaction, or, if they similarly fail to find a girl; in such cases, it will be imperative for them to allow us to find someone from the Jama’at. And everyone should feel confident that we shall, with true sincerity and compassion for the parents, do our utmost to find the most suitable match for their boys or girls... High priority will be given to their good conduct, character, and potential for progression towards goodness. This book will be kept secret and from time to time, as the situation calls for it, the information will be passed on. But no comments will be conveyed about the girl or the boy, until and unless the good conduct and qualifications are verified. Therefore, it is incumbent upon those who show their allegiance to us that they submit a list of their children with names, ages, and nationality so that it can be recorded in the book.”
QUOTATION FROM “MAJMUA ISHTIHARAT” VOL. III, PP 50-51 BY HAZRAT MASIH MAUD (AS)
I’m ready to attend the event. What should I do next?
Discuss the event with your parents or family members and register for the event at the registration link provided. While you wait to hear back from facilitators on the status of a match, be sure to do the following to optimize your success in finding a blessed match, Insha’Allah.
- Offer Nawafil for the success of the event
- Give Sadqa
- Write a letter to Huzoor-e-Anwar (aba) for prayers.
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