Palestinian ruling allows online dating

The Palestinian Authority's Supreme Fatwa Council said Tuesday online dating is OK -- but only for the purpose of marriage. "The main purpose of the conversation should be marriage through legal ways, and it shouldn't have any other goals that could mark a violation of Sharia law. Any personal details, which could arouse lust, must not be addressed during the conversation," the council said. The Ma'an news agency said the council also ruled women must avoid describing their physical appearance, refrain from displaying photos and be accompanied by a family member if meeting an online connection in person. The council cautioned women to refrain from using "sentimental and tender" tones when communicating with men online and ordered parents to monitor their children's online activities. Fatwa is a technical term in Arabic to describe a legal judgment or ruling in accordance with the Islamic law.