Maktoob.com has acquired an 80 percent stake in Bentelhalal.com, a matrimonial portal that assists its users to find their life partners while promoting family values. A top official of Maktoob 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.

“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 leading 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 a 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 e-mail their information to prospective life-partners only after obtaining permission from the other party.

Bentelhalal.com also offers useful information on marriage and marriage service providers such as catering, decor, reception venues, wedding attire, photographers and videographers, etc through regularly updated columns.