You have the right to find and choose your marriage partner. Your parents’ role in marriage is to help you make the right choice and not to coerce you. They can only object if you choose someone who is incompatible. And the compatibility is not based on wealth, status or caste; rather it relies on faith and character. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “If someone of sound faith and character approaches for marriage agrees to it; otherwise, you are going to pave the way for corruption.”

 

The Qur’an also stipulates marriage as a contract based on mutual consent. That is why the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught in clear terms that there is no coercion with regard to marriage.

 

In conclusion: You are justified in finding a suitable marriage partner by using clean and open forums free of isolation, and un-Islamic dating practices prevalent in some societies. You don’t need to wait for your parents’ permission in doing so. However, once you have found one, you should try to get their blessing. If they just refuse for no reason other than ethnic or racial or material considerations, you have the right to get married even if they object to it.

 

You are also advised to refer to the following answer:

http://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/dhikr-supplication/duaa-find-good-husband/