From 'I don’t do coffee dates' to I do's: Unpacking the love lessons from Netflix's Love is Blind: Habibi UAE edition

“I don't do coffee dates, I don't do walking dates, I don't do last-minute dates... I have my standards...”

Anyone who has just finished watching the Netflix show Love is Blind: Habibi will be familiar with these iconic lines from 29-year-old Lebanese contestant Nour. 

Without a doubt, these words now live in our heads rent-free, as the show becomes a guilty pleasure for many around the world — including Kim Kardashian who posted a clip on social media watching the show as she worked out. 

With the series now complete and a reunion episode on the horizon, The New Arab explores some key takeaways from the show that took over our screens throughout October.

Here’s what we unpacked:

The experiment of love

Set in the UAE, Love is Blind: Habibi is not the first of its kind; previous editions have aired in the US, UK, Mexico, Brazil, and Sweden.

Like the others, the experiment in the UAE edition remains the same: singles go on a series of “blind” dates in separate pods, hoping to find their soulmates.

Couples then meet face-to-face only after they are engaged and spend four weeks testing their relationship back in the real world.

Finally, on their wedding day, both couples must decide whether the connection they developed in the pods is strong enough to last a lifetime.

How is the UAE edition different from the other country editions?

Unlike the other editions, the UAE edition offers insight into traditional cultural practices, giving Western audiences a closer look at Middle Eastern customs, particularly those related to marriage.

A particularly interesting aspect of the show is that despite the contestants adopting more modernised and Western appearances — like Lebanese contestant Chafic and Jordanian contestant Mohammed, both of whom have tattoos — and lifestyles, such as Iraqi contestant Khatab, who works as a nighttime DJ, their mindsets about marriage align with the traditional views of their families.

But what do these mindsets entail exactly?

Throughout the show, viewers see contestants participating in their respective cultural pre-wedding customs, such as katb al-kitab events and henna night celebrations for the brides-to-be.

Since cohabitation before marriage is not conventional in many parts of the Arab world, viewers also gain a closer look at the couples’ separate home lives and their families’ involvement in the engagement process.

Additionally, there is no kissing or sex before marriage, which contrasts with what is seen in other editions.

A liberal shift

While watching Love is Blind: Habibi, some fans noted that, in addition to adopting Western appearances while maintaining traditional mindsets, what particularly stood out for them regarding Middle Eastern customs was the families' liberal approach to marriage.

Sarah*, a viewer from Kuwait, shared her thoughts on this: “There’s a liberal approach towards marriage in the show, which I felt was portrayed. Traditionally, the men of the family — whether the father or brother — have been the primary decision-makers, even during the milcha or كتب الكتاب (the marriage contract). It is often the groom, sheikh, or a male family member of the bride who signs the official marriage documents.”

Sarah added, “While this remains common today, it was interesting to see a growing emphasis on women’s voices in decision-making and their understanding of their own worth in relationships. Some women can feel pressured by societal expectations surrounding marriage, but I didn’t sense that in the show.”

So, is love really that blind?

Besides strengthening our understanding of traditional Middle Eastern marriage customs, the show also reminds us that love is a fundamental need and that every romantic encounter in life offers valuable lessons.

Ultimately, the key lesson for the contestants on their quest to find their other half is this: Is love really that blind?

In all the country editions, the phrase 'love is blind' suggests that we can love someone regardless of physical appearance. It does not matter if we aren’t physically attracted to someone; if there is a deep emotional connection, we can still fall in love.

Most of the contestants in the UAE edition do indeed find love through this concept, but falling in love this way is not straightforward, especially when cultural barriers come into play, such as the need for parental blessings first. As seen in the show, these barriers ultimately lead some contestants to part ways, even when they don’t want to.

To illustrate this dynamic more clearly, we can look at the relationship between Egyptian contestant Asma and the aforementioned Khatab.

Before they met in person, Asma admitted during a pod conversation with Khatab that she would find it difficult to be with someone who isn’t at her fitness level, clearly indicating that she has a specific type — someone muscly, like a typical Barry’s addict — which is the opposite of Khatab.

Nevertheless, Asma ends up falling in love with Khatab, who feels the same way.

When the reveal day arrives, Asma hesitates when she sees him because Khatab does not meet her initial physical expectations, and shortly after the reveal, viewers learn that she has decided not to continue with him.

However, after some reflection, Asma comes to her senses and realises that looks aren’t everything. As she adopts this mindset and gets to know him better during their four-week getaway, her feelings for him grow stronger.

Although Asma and Khatab eventually make it to the altar, Asma decides to walk away from Khatab, but this time for different reasons: her parents did not meet Khatab before the wedding to give their blessings, which is a common custom in Middle Eastern cultures.

“It’s a 'no' today, but it's a 'yes' for later and a 'yes' for every day,” is the explanation she provides to Khatab at the altar, indicating that she will only marry him once her parents have met him.

Insights from Love is Blind: Habibi fans

As of last week, Love is Blind: Habibi has been viewed over 1.3 million times and has sparked many reactions worldwide, including from Arab viewers.

To better understand these reactions, The New Arab spoke with Arab female fans of the show to learn what they have discovered about love being blind, sharing insights gained from watching specific scenes and their personal experiences with finding love today, especially in an era where resorting to online dating apps are becoming increasingly popular.

Maha Mohammed, an Iraqi senior associate solicitor, first shared her views on the love story of Asma and Khatab: “Physical attraction is undoubtedly an important factor when getting to know someone. A person may look great on paper and tick all the right boxes, but if there’s no physical chemistry, it can be hard to build a connection. However, as you mature, you start to realise that focusing only on looks can prevent you from forming deeper, more meaningful relationships.”

Maha also noted that if your usual “type” hasn’t led to lasting connections, it might be time to look beyond appearance, just as Asma did with Khatab, adding that the saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” really applies here.

Deana Hassanein Soni, an Egyptian presenter and journalist, also shared her thoughts: “I have watched all the Love is Blind shows, and they confirm two things I always preach: for some, love isn't always enough. We often forget that we all come from different backgrounds, upbringings, and struggles. For example, someone who came from a very poor home might value financial security over physical appearance, while someone who is more visual may prioritise beauty (whatever beauty is). Love is different for everyone and for people who value looks over character, love isn't blind.”

Deana added, “And the second thing I always say is personality makes people more beautiful. Their charisma, their values, their character. Remember, looks fade.”

Happily married for 50 years

Beyond the question of whether love truly is blind, there is also the question of whether relationships and marriages that have developed through this approach can last a lifetime.

To understand this better, The New Arab also reached out to Arab married couples from the older generation who fell in love through the ‘love is blind’ approach and have gone on to have happy and successful marriages for many years.

Mona Mohammed, an Iraqi teacher, spoke on behalf of her grandparents, who met in the traditional way in 1960s Iraq, where the two and their families were matched based on shared values, and they have now been happily married for 50 years.

“My grandfather always boasted about marrying my grandmother without seeing her beforehand,” Mona said, describing how her grandparents met.

“He knew of my grandmother’s family and admired the values her father held, so based on that, he asked for her hand in marriage, even though he had never met or seen her before. My grandfather always tells us that the first time he ever saw my grandmother was on their wedding night. They have maintained a very romantic relationship that continues even fifty years later, with five children and eight grandchildren,” Mona added.

For Mona, her grandparents' initial meeting has shaped a marriage built on respect and deep affection.

“Despite the unusual way their marriage began, they grew to understand and appreciate one another, building a life full of shared experiences, love, and commitment.

“Their story has always reminded me and my family that love can grow in the most unexpected ways. It’s not always about instant attraction or knowing everything about the other person from the start. Sometimes, it’s the journey of discovering each other that creates a relationship strong enough to last a lifetime,” Mona concluded.

As of yet, the reunion episode does not have a set date but will be on TV screens soon.

*Name changed upon request 

Zainab Mehdi is The New Arab's Associate Editor and researcher specialising in governance, development, and conflict in the Middle East and North Africa region

Follow her on X: @zaiamehdi