FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Who is the event aimed at?
A: It's aimed at single Muslim professionals from any background, but promoted via friends of friends of the team behind Ar'Rum, thus anticipated to be those 24-40 age group, based in the UK
Q: What is the format of the event?
A: Simple. 3 phases - 1:Drinks reception on arrival, welcome to introduce/speak to anyone/everyone - followed by 2:formal seated rotations, (chance to speak to everyone for short period) - then dinner (during rotations) - followed by 3:return to the informal meetings (post- dinner drinks)
Q: How are the tables laid out?
A: Numerical order, with name badges assigned to a given table number on arrival, with a view to separating those who already know each other, to be fair to all.
Q: Do I have to wear a name badge?
A: To be professional and be in the spirit of the event, ie. you are there to 'introduce' yourselves to others... by that we mean your name as a starter!
Q: What information will be disclosed to others?
A: The guest list on display will comprise of NAME, AGE-RANGE, OCCUPATION, purely as a memo for fellow guests. All other personal information will remain with the organisers, with a policy of non-disclosure unless mutual consent is reached during the 3 days post-event (see later regarding post-event communication).
Q: When is the event?
A: We plan on TWO events in London and Manchester per year. We have had our events earlier in 2009, therefore the FINAL two events in the respective cities will take place insh'Allah in November 2009 - we would like every guest to treat it as though it's their last event, insh'Allah!
Q: How much is the event?
A: We aim to keep it as close to the restaurant cost as possible, with the small surplus to cover admin, marketing and promotional costs which have and will be incurred to bring you this site and investment to-date - which I'm sure you'll understand.
Prices for Chaperones are flat rate: £20 per event (note will NOT be able to participate during the rotation/intro phase of event, but welcome to accompany during drinks reception and post-rotation phase).
Q: How do you compare to other marriage events?
A: From feedback received, alhamdulilah we fare very well, with a number of people citing 'it's the best marriage event by far' - humbled, but not complacent - we welcome feedback continuously, and aim to improve, but are restricted by time/resources being run voluntarily.
We prove to be fantastic value for money in comparison to known events such as "muslim-marriage-events" at £56 (correct at time of this review) and "Kamran A. Beg" events (with standard tickets at £45, again at time of review).
Our format granted may be a little different, hence we fully support guests to try other events to compare to ours - some may find theirs better than ours, but we're trying to attract the like-minded Muslims for one another :)
Q: Why is there a need for this forum?
A: Quite simply, due to other channels not working, eg. traditional family routes, marriage sites, other formal marriage events... Allah (swt) has given us all the time and energy and indeed skills and knowledge to utilise and help one another, which we have found we can all never do enough - hence, the unique friends-of-friends route, that is Ar'Rum :)
Q: How do I get an interested party's contact details?
A: We encourage everyone to take a mature approach and take initiative during the event, please approach a host if ON the evening if you would like to facilitate a follow up BEFORE the other party leaves.
Q: Aside from the events, what about the web?
A: Ar'Rum plan to have a facebook group, request admission (as it's free!), but it will be based on management discretion. Please don't be upset if you're refused, you have unlimited access to the likes of shaadi.com and singlemuslim.com as alternative routes...
Q: Will there be an equal ratio of male:female?
A: The aged old question arising from all events and forums! We wish we knew and could influence the ratio to be 50:50 - the reality is there are more female than male members in the group, other events, but we endeavour to cap female guest numbers to ensure a reasonable balance, but worst case scenario will be 60:40.
Q: What background are the guests from?
A: Muslim. Simple. We have no particular target towards any ethnic group, as this is being promoted via friends of friends, it simply depends on the diversity or otherwise of one another's circle of friends, which we anticipate in the majority of instances to be South Asian descent.
Q: Why is there a fine for late comers?
A: Random gesture, £5 for anyone arriving after 7.30pm - really sorry to have to charge this, the intention is to get people to arrive ON time - defy Asian/Arab/Muslim timing, that seems to be prevalent in our culture! Light-hearted point, set off earlier :) We want the event to start on time, and be enjoyable for all, without the lack of respect shown by latecomers... everyone's time is important, so please respect one another's time.
