Maktoob.com picks up majority stake in top matrimonial website

A top official of Maktoob.com (www.maktoob.com) pointed out that the acquisition was an important development that will allow Maktoob.com to align itself with a proven leader in matrimonial services in the Arab world to offer a diversified range of community-focused services to its members.

At the same time, the development will allow Bentelhalal.com to address a broader audience in the Arab world using Maktoob.com's highly established penetration in the region, while providing it with a significant greater opportunity to target new users.

"Our acquisition of a majority stake in Bentelhalal.com is an important strategic milestone for us because it reinforces Maktoob.com's resolve to further offer a superior and focused online community and play a lead role in further building our social activities, while adhering to traditions and conservative Arab values," explained Samih Toukan, CEO of Maktoob.com.

He added that Bentelhalal.com, alongside the existing Mabrook partner search service offered by Maktoob.com, complements the traditional methods of match-making across the Arab world, a task usually handled by the family elders.

Established in 2002, Bentelhalal.com is a bilingual (English / Arabic) site that aims to prepare people for the responsibilities of a married life within the conservative society. The portal commands a strong member base of 250,000 registered users, with 700 new users added daily.

Visitors to the site can create a very extensive personal profile, detailing their likes, dislikes, interests, and plans for the future. They can also search for compatible partners of the opposite sex who meet their requirements and contact them directly and discretely through the website. The portal respects the privacy of its members and registrants can email their information to prospective life-partners only after obtaining permission from the other party.

Speaking about the acquisition, Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim, General Manager of Bentelhalal.com, explained: "It was a natural decision to approach Maktoob.com, which is a leader in its field. We are excited by the prospect of further penetrating into our core target markets, using Maktoob.com's established network in the Arab world."

Ahmad pointed out that Bentelhalal.com was a perfect example of how the Internet had evolved to serve the requirements of the Arab community and widen the search for compatible life partners. The site offers useful information on marriage and marriage service providers such as catering, décor, reception venues, wedding attires, photographers and videographers, etc through the regularly updated columns.

The site also allows interested parties to communicate with each other freely via emails and personal messages and browse listings in the privacy of their own homes while sending compatible match alerts to the user's email address. Prospective partners can now make initial contact by e-mail and gather relevant information before committing to an initial meeting.