want to start dating but am Muslim

Sure, I'll back up 'my' interpretation - in Saudi Arabia, Muslims do not date, as is the case in many other Muslim countries in the Middle-East. As the majority of Muslims live in those countries, it is logical to assume that it's a majority view that dating is wrong in Islam.

Your cocky and dismissive attitude is quite offensive. My religious beliefs do not affect my knowledge of faiths, especially if I was brought up in the religion I'm talking about.

Just to let you know I'm talking from an Islamic point of view and not cultural, in Islam there are no difference of opinion generally when it comes to meeting potential spouses.

A Mahram is needed, who must observe such meetings, a female relative do not count including your mother nor are you two allowed to be left alone without the mahram.

You don't seem very knowledgable dear, especially when you decide to bring up Saudi Arabia where women can't even drive, that country is a disgrace to islam..try harder. Just because the majority of the people in one specific place have a backward mentality it doesn't mean you could accuse islam, in Allahs eyes you could perfectly date as long as the parents approve, there is no physical contact and the intention is sincere. A lot of people may not approve because of cultural reasons but at the end of the day we are here to please Allah and not the people.

Back off.

He's saying the majority of Muslims hold that view. He's not justifying it so stop trying to create mountain from a mow hill.

Well Saudi Arabia isn't a reliable source and you need to chillax

Well I am aware what the Islamic teachings are, I was not left alone. My father decided not to intervene. I met him in a safe public place, near my home it was perfectly fine. Infact because I got to know him without people intervening much, his true colours showed which wouldn't have happened if he was constantly observed. Btw I'm not cultural in any sense of the word, we are liberal but also religious.

I'm just letting you know, if a mahram is not present observing the meeting than the meeting isn't halal. There's no way around this from an Islamic view point.

Yes I agree, but since he's in uni I think what's more important is that they're not alone together because Shaytan is always the third it would be better if a mahram was there aswell

Lol wat

Well Saudi Arabia isn't a reliable source and you need to chillax

When a man and woman are alone together, shaitaan is the third being present

You don't seem very knowledgable dear, especially when you decide to bring up Saudi Arabia where women can't even drive, that country is a disgrace to islam..try harder. Just because the majority of the people in one specific place have a backward mentality it doesn't mean you could accuse islam, in Allahs eyes you could perfectly date as long as the parents approve, there is no physical contact and the intention is sincere. A lot of people may not approve because of cultural reasons but at the end of the day we are here to please Allah and not the people.

So if you went to an interview or a meeting to speak to a man, would you take a mahram with you? I believe its better to have a marram present but its not a must, especially if the girl lives far away from home and met the guy at uni. As long as people can see them and what they are discussing is relevant and halal, its fine.

I'm a guy so I don't have to.
Professional relation/interviews come with different opinions.

I'm sorry to inform you, but on the matter of meeting to get to know a guy for marriage, a Mahram(imam if there is no mahram) is a must. There is absolutely no difference of opinion on this matter.

The scenario of open discussion where one can be seen is, etc I have heard it before, however in situations of having to do school work together.

http://daruliftaa.com/node/5749?txt_QuestionID=
http://islamqa.info/en/13791

Saudi Arabia is a country where almost 100% of citizens are Muslim. Who are you to tell 30,000,000 people that they are a disgrace to Islam? They pray, they fast, they pay the Zakaat and, due to their location, they probably go on Hajj a lot more than you, too. These people would tell you that YOU are the disgrace to Islam for justifying dating through various loopholes and intricate paths.

In my eyes, neither of you are a disgrace to Islam - I wouldn't even care if you were - but I do think you're quite rude for talking down my attitudes as if they're invalid or stupid just because we don't have the same religious beliefs.

Who puts the rules that in a professional relationship, a woman doesn't need a mahram but when it comes to discussing marriage you do? It doesn't really make a difference a female speaking to a man is interacting the same way under both circumstances, it comes back to culture. The more conservative a culture is the more restriction is placed. Anyway you don't need to bother anymore, the issue doesn't affect you.