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Article: The price of marriage. (United Arab Emirates Marriage Fund)
- Article from:
- The Middle East
- Article date:
- March 1, 1996
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1996 IC Publications Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The high cost of marriage between UAE nationals has had unfortunate spin-offs, not least an increasing number of local spinsters.
It's ten thirty in the morning and Peter Loughlin, chief salesman for Dubai's leading couture salon, Arushi, is in his first "consultation" of the day. Around him, five veiled women sit pouring over fashion magazines and fingering bolts of white brocade. He holds up a delicate chain mesh made of solid cut glass crystals.
"If you have this, the dress will cost around Dh.40,000 (almost $5,500). If you have it just down the bodice, it will be a lot cheaper," he tells the assembled women. "We have a budget of Dh. 20,000" came the quick ...