Muslim Dating App Muzz Takes Love Offline with In-Person Event

Introducing Muzz, the innovative Muslim dating app that caters to the unique needs and values of the Muslim community. On a balmy Thursday evening, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn played host to an unusual assembly of about 250 Muslims. They gathered at a halal Italian eatery for an uncommon event – a Muslim singles mixer. Although the camera is shy due to privacy concerns or a reluctance to seem overeager, they congregated, prepared to meet potential partners.

The orchestrator behind the occasion was Muzz, a London-based Muslim dating app with a global user base of 8 million. The company, established in 2011, prides itself on having facilitated marriages for 400,000 couples met through the platform.

“In our core, we strive to empower young Muslims to seek their partner while respecting their faith, culture, and traditions,” Muzz founder Shahzad Younas said. This endeavor, he noted, involves skillfully incorporating familial involvement, a critical support system for Muslim couples.

On this particular evening in Brooklyn, the event saw the assembly engaging in various activities. An outdoor dining tent with prayer mats catered to the Maghreb prayer. Inside, a cleared-out restaurant allowed for easy mingling amidst servings of hummus, chicken kebab wraps, and Mediterranean salads. Conversations fluttered around topics like halal Thai food in New York and the challenges of meeting new people during remote work.

An initial sight of divided groups gradually gave way to lively interaction following Mr. Younas’s ice-breaker activity involving color-coded stickers for men and women. The air buzzed with anticipation as attendees exchanged stickers, signaling initiated conversations.

The recent Brooklyn assembly was part of Muzz’s North American tour, with other events organized in Toronto, Jersey City, NJ, New York, and Baltimore. Previous international destinations include London and Dubai.

While some participants like 34-year-old financial consultant Ali Fall sought the opportunity to network and engage with individuals sharing his faith, others like global relations coordinator Mohammad Binmahfouz embarked on a search for a compatible partner who shares his values.

For young Muslims like Salmah Ahmed and Mohibbah Abdul-Ahmed, sisters from Hillside, NJ, the platform and events offer a platform to navigate their paths in love and marriage, striking a balance between cultural tradition and personal choice.

Inclusion and diversity are points of focus for Muzz, with Mr. Younas acknowledging the need to attract a balanced mix of races and ethnicities at these in-person events.

However, Muzz, along with other religious dating apps like Eden, Mormon Match, and Meet and Right, currently exclude L.G.B.T.Q. users. Although Younas has no immediate plans to broaden the platform’s scope, he acknowledges the taboo status of dating apps in some circles.

Despite competing platforms like Salams, formerly known as Minder, Muzz’s focus remains unwavering – facilitating meaningful connections while respecting cultural nuances, ensuring attendees have a pleasant experience, irrespective of their success in finding a partner.