Love Is Blind: Habibi

I really want this show canceled and discontinued because it's traumatizing and offensive to watch women being manipulated and controlled. There is continuous disrespect towards the women. I cried for most of the show and it will continue to haunt me for awhile. The producers should be held accountable for choosing bad characters who are not there for a loving healthy and supportive marriage. Why would they not choose more good natured people for this show. It's unusual. I've never seen a reality show so dysfunctional. This is a show about love and marriage. Manipulation, control and emotional abusive is the opposite of love.

If these men are representative of Arab men, I would advise any sane woman to keep their distance.

I found the men on the show to be aggressive and entitled, often belittling women. One even stated that his wife should put her life in second place after his. Some justified their behaviour by saying, "that's how I was raised." The borderline jealousy they displayed is alarming.

They exhibit traits of unchecked anger, disrespect toward others, and controlling behaviour towards women, coupled with an inflated ego. They frequently spoke about God, but their actions didn't align with their words.

Many of the reviews for Love is Blind: Habibi begin with commenters claiming to understand the culture, only to then give it a low rating due to how they perceive the men's behavior or how they feel the women are being treated. While it's easy to apply a Western lens, it's essential to truly grasp the Middle Eastern cultural context before making such judgments.

Yes, the women in this series are strong, independent, and capable-there is no doubt about that. But understanding their strength within the framework of Middle Eastern culture is key. In these cultures, women often seek partners who deeply respect their faith, their families, and the traditions they uphold. It's a misconception to think that their independence is somehow diminished because they value a partner who respects the same beliefs. For example, respecting parental input in their romantic choices isn't about submission-it's about honoring family, a central pillar of many Middle Eastern households.

What many reviewers overlook is the importance of cultural norms embedded in the show, like placing God and family at the heart of decision-making. Unlike other Love is Blind versions where it's primarily about the individuals, Love is Blind: Habibi beautifully demonstrates how love is shaped by family blessings and faith. In many Western versions of the show, families meet the partners but don't hold much influence over the final decision. Here, we see how vital it is to secure not only personal compatibility but also the approval and blessings of loved ones-something deeply valued in Middle Eastern and Muslim cultures.

I personally found the series to be an excellent window into Middle Eastern and Muslim life, especially for viewers unfamiliar with the nuances of these traditions. Yes, some of the men have strong, culturally-rooted views that may not align with Western ideals. And yes, the women-who are fiercely independent-are looking for a partner who understands and respects their culture, values, and beliefs.

However, I give it a 9 out of 10 due to the language barrier issue throughout the series. Several different languages were spoken, including French, which caused confusion among some of the couples who didn't fully understand one another. I wish there had been stricter rules requiring participants to speak their native languages and English to avoid these misunderstandings.

That aside, Love is Blind means different things in different parts of the world. It's not just about individuals, but also about families, faith, and the values that hold them together. That's what makes Love is Blind: Habibi stand out. If you approach it with an open mind, you'll find a rich cultural experience that speaks volumes about love, family, and faith in the Middle Eastern world.

I have watched every episode there is of Love is blind, from every country. I thought it would be interesting to see how different this would be. I have to say, that I started with a 1 star rating, because some of the men made me furious. At the end, I could see that this show empowered women, and give it a 3 star.

I am disappointed in how shallow some of them are. How can you test if love is blind, if you start talking about how you look, your prefered look etc?

This seems to be just an ordinary dating show, without the sense of commitment, not like the other Love is blind I have watched.

And some of the men are so jealous, and competitive. You cannot claim a woman after a short date or two!(or any time) You are not there to get best friends, but to find a potential life partner. The conversations were mostly shallow, but what do I know, this might be a culture thing.

And what about getting better soundproofing, so that the men can shout in their quarters, without the ladies hearing them?

Some of the men seems to be very aggressive, want to own their woman and control her. Not good.

To be honest, this is not the best Love Is Blind Edition I've seen. I watched until the end because of the brand.

I can understand that cultures are different, but it still gives a very bad representation of what a woman is and should be. Between jealousy, egocentrism, support between men, some hatred between women, no real conversation or confrontation of ideas. The combination was not great.

Also, the modesty demonstrated by the couples is respectable, however it prevents the viewer from becoming attached to them and believing in their relationship. This is still understandable from a cultural perspective.

I still salute the very classy and extremely smart dancer as well as the fact that this edition brought a different tone and allowed us to know other traditions.