Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Middle East and North Africa	The details on the interview	Wow Patti, She really drilled him! How does she even know his answers are correct? Did you send her a profile before the interview?? LOL Farid and I both agree that the tattoo question crossed the line. In no way should she expect a man to talk about his WIFE's body in a room full of people! Praise God your husband sailed right through her questions and impressed her with his love and commitment to you. We're just so happy for you both!	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-09-28 23:49:00
Middle East and North Africa	Weight	Farid's views/comments are a perfect balance of acceptance (loves me just the way I am) and support (can help me achieve any goal I set for myself).	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-10-01 13:32:00
Middle East and North Africa	passed interview today	We are on administrative review from the Casablanca embassy. The expected wait is 7 days to 15 days. If you were denied they wouldn't tell you "we will call in 2 weeks" Inshallah you will have your visa in hand soon! Congratulations on your successful interview!!!	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-09-27 09:47:00
Middle East and North Africa	age different	I don't know where you are in the process, but if I was to do it again I would send a letter to the USCIS along with the I-130 and the I-129F. In this letter I would address the age difference, or any other red flags that will cause the consulate to have suspicions. I believe that if the USCIS has already approved it with the knowledge of your red flags then they can't use that to send it back for further review. That's an excellent idea!	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-09-24 22:49:00
Middle East and North Africa	I can't believe it....	Thats' wonderful!!! You certainly have waited so long..what a blessing for you both!	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-09-28 09:48:00
Middle East and North Africa	good news from casablanca	Awesome! Congrats! and God Bless!	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-10-03 19:30:00
Middle East and North Africa	Let's go Noura and Said!!!	Farid and I wanted you to know you're on our minds and we're praying for you two to have a quick and sucessful interview! Good luck to you both! Can't wait to hear the good news tomorrow morning!	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-10-04 22:51:00
Middle East and North Africa	Casa question	Ok, I have a Casa question that I'm sure has been answered but I'm always horrible using the search features. I just got approved, and I want to know how I can know when it has been received in Casa. Do I have to call or email them? And which number/email address would you recommend for that? Also, when should I expect it to be received. I did a search on the timelines, and it seems to vary. It seemed like on most, it was anywhere from 2 weeks to 1 month. Thanks for the help guys! I'm not sure how to "know" your packet arrived in Casa. I really wasn't too concerned with following ours from NVC to CASA. But I have read posts by others that checked the DHL tracking system online. Basically it seems you're following some general shipment..you don't really know for sure if your file is inside this package..something along those lines. At this point , Casa will recieve your packet ..issue his packet3 with interview date. If you're feeling like you need to email them, the address is nivcasablanca@state.gov ( the niv stands for non-immigrant visa ). Use your Case# in the subject line for easy identification. Try this link for more information: http://www.visajourn...;cty=Casablanca We recieved our Packet 3 , 17 days after it left NVC. But a good friend of ours is going on his 3rd week waiting for his packet 3. So really it does vary. When I'm feeling like "there must be something wrong..this is taking too long" I just try to remind myself of the many many posts where people say "just when you feel like nothings moving, something HAPPENS. Keep the faith. " LOL We're on day 12 after our interview still waiting for our phone call from the consulate....so I'm feeling that "feeling" again , but Inshallah tomorrow is our day and the call will come through. I hope that helps a bit. Good luck on your continued Journey!	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-10-05 01:35:00
Middle East and North Africa	I got an answer from Casa Consulate	October 19th. is an excellent day! Woo HOO for you two!! FYI Ramadan last year was a very "lucky" time for those who interviewed at Casa. I remember reading somewhere they were handing out visa's left and right! Hope that's still the same this year!	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-09-08 22:39:00
Middle East and North Africa	How long did you wait for Casa?	What seems to be the average wait between interview and visa in hand for Casa? Has anyone ever gotten visa in hand on the same day as the interview? I did see someone on the timelines that interviewed and got thier visa the next day. I think that was back in June of this year. Farid and I are on day 12 and still no Visa in hand...but I'm very sure tomorrow is the day!!!!	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-10-04 22:28:00
Middle East and North Africa	Good luck tomorrow for soul_encounter	awwwwwwwww libragodess... I'm sorry it's been sitting there collecting dust! Call Casa tomorrow and be persistent - get someone on it asap! Good luck and hope Farid is called soon for the visa! Thanks so much Noura! Farid is traveling to Casa tomorrow for the 3rd time this week. Inshallah the consulate will give him the visa. I'll be up bright eyed and bushy tailed calling and calling and calling!	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-10-11 22:10:00
Middle East and North Africa	Good luck tomorrow for soul_encounter	libragoddess I'm glad to see you called DOS. Good thing! Congrats on it being printed, try calling Casa in the morning. Sarah Super sweet Sarah! Thank you so much your advice was/is invaluable!	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-10-11 21:57:00
Middle East and North Africa	Good luck tomorrow for soul_encounter	Congratulations on your Successful Interview!!! Just in case you need the phone number for DOS it's (202) 663-1225 press 1,0,4,3,0. I wish I had been a little more Pro-ACTIVE last week! Our interview was September 22nd..we've been waiting for our phone call for 20 days now ( were told one week to two weeks by the consulor. ) I called DOS this morning and found out that security checks were completed and visa was printed October 3rd! Why is it October 11th. and still no phone call from Casa??? We've emailed them about 9 times since last Thursday...No response! I'm obviously really freakin frustrated! Moral of the story Calling DOS is a really good idea!	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-10-11 21:45:00
Middle East and North Africa	I remembering reading someone asking about the support papers	The I-134 was crossed out on our checklist as well. Farid emailed the Embassy to confirm it was no longer needed...and they sent back an email stated that the I-134 is NO LONGER Required. My Honey printed this email and took it with him just in case they got "confused" at the time of the interview! LOL	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-10-11 21:50:00
Middle East and North Africa	Things you caught yourself doing since being with your SO	Even though my honey doesn't technically "live" with me yet I feel his presence so strongly. Since knowing him I've caught myself speaking like him. I have started using phrases like "for all life" and when he says the word "satisfaction" I can't say it without sounding it out just the way he does. Yesterday,I just referred to my MOM, while speaking to my grandma, as "mother rosemary" , LOL that's how we (farid and I) determine which mother we're speaking about since we now have 3 mothers in our lives. I also hear my love say, "heck yeah" alot LOL and that's directly from my influence. There are so many things that have changed about my life since meeting my love, but I'd like to make a special note that since meeting him I catch myself feeling more loved and more special than I ever have every felt my whole life!	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-10-01 14:10:00
Middle East and North Africa	Just Waitings Interview tomorror 3/23/06	Just waiting! Tomorrow's the big day! Good luck. Here's rooting you on girl! Good luck! Andrea Best of luck!	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-03-22 19:01:00
Middle East and North Africa	Visa in hand!	Super sweet just ordered 40 lbs. of Halal Meat! We can pick it up frozen on Wednesday before we head back home. Everything is just comming together LOL	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-10-13 22:46:00
Middle East and North Africa	Visa in hand!	Awww Meriem, Thanks sooo much! You're such a blessing!	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-10-13 21:56:00
Middle East and North Africa	Visa in hand!	OH My Goodness! I've been up since 3am this morning. Booking the Saturday flight wasn't possible. Really, we tried every route but to no avail. Since Royal Air Maroc is closed on Sunday, he'll be traveling Monday. POE will be JFK and then onto LAX. We are praying for no delays or complications. So in the meanwhile I'll be tidying up the home on Saturday. Sunday I'll drive out to Cali and spend the night at my parents. Monday I'll check on our residence..we're going to stay in a quiet little place in Laguna Beach. Hopefully these next 3 days just fly by! I'll get a good nights rest and be rearing to go by morning! WOOO HOOOOOOOO my baby's comming home! Anybody know of a place to buy Halal meat in the Orange County , California area? I'm looking to purchase a bunch and bring it back to Arizona on dry ice.	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-10-13 21:36:00
Middle East and North Africa	Visa in hand!	Thanks everyone so much for your warm wishes! Farid and I have intentions of meeting in 2 days..Saturday October 14th. I was unable to purchase the tickets over the phone this evening, so he'll go straight to Royal Air Maroc tomorrow 10am his time and hopefully we'll be able to get a ticket for the Saturday flight. Inshallah we can be together by Saturday night. OMG it's almost over! This torture of living apart is soon to be a distant memory. I'm sooo grateful for all of you and the help and the support. I'll be sure to post back when we have a departure ticket in hand!	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-10-12 23:27:00
Middle East and North Africa	Visa in hand!	Visa Update. Yesterday I contacted DOS and they informed me our visa has been ready since October 3rd. No one from the consulate has called us. In addition NO response to our 9 emails since last Thursday. I woke up this morning at 4am. Farid was already on the train traveling to Casa (for the 3rd time this week). I contacted the consulate by phone this morning and was told yet again to email and they will respond right away...still haven't recieved that email...BUT Farid did get a call on his celly and they asked him to come to pick up the visa. Also they apologized for their mistake. He waited about 2 hours and just called me to inform me...we now have Visa in Hand!!! Can't wait to see my honey! Super excited to book his flight!	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-10-12 10:03:00
Middle East and North Africa	One call, that's all...	Congratulations Noura!! We're so happy for you two! Your Visa came through very quick..thank you Lord! P.s. I missed the pic...can you put it up again?	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-10-13 23:44:00
Middle East and North Africa	It's Saturday!	Saturday is clean the house and prepare for my honey's arrival day!! Woo HOOO ...I better get my butt to bed!	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-10-14 00:51:00
Middle East and North Africa	Where is your SO from?	Farid is from Rabat Morocco. I'm from Southern California, and have been living in Arizona for the last 2 years.	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-10-14 16:40:00
Middle East and North Africa	Tuesday Thread!	Good Morning fellow ME/NA VJ family. Just wanted to update you on Farid's arrival. His flight out of Casablanca left 2 hours late so arriving in NY he missed his connection. He said POE was great. Everyone was nice and friendly and there were no problems there. Royal Air Maroc set the passenger up, that missed their flights, at a hotel and also they were able to eat at the hotel as well. His next flight left this morning 8:35am NY time to arrive at LAX noon my time. I've got about 4.5 hours before I can see my honey and needless to say I'm super excited. I'll post back after we get home. Good luck to Najia on your interview tomorrow! We're praying for a smooth interview and a quick visa in hand for you two! Inshallah. Take care all have a blessed and wonderful Tuesday!	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-10-17 10:05:00
Middle East and North Africa	VISA IN HAND!!!!	Congratulations!!! Very soon your Honey will be with you ...we're so happy for you two!	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-10-20 09:53:00
Middle East and North Africa	Tips to help your SO adjust	I would like to purchase some Halal meat/products to stock up the fridge before My Love's arrival. Is there a place that's recommended to order from online?	libragodess	Female	Morocco	2006-10-12 00:19:00
Middle East and North Africa	WE GOT THE EMAIL	Congratulations and Best wishes for coming days.....	ReignVictorious	Male	India	2007-02-08 16:11:00
Middle East and North Africa	Another approval!	Congratulations!! Woohoo!!	ReignVictorious	Male	India	2007-02-21 16:48:00
Middle East and North Africa	Curious MENA question...	QUOTE (julianna @ May 26 2008, 09:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (sereia @ May 26 2008, 11:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I don't know, Julianna. I suppose its just going to end up in disaster like most controversial posts do around here. No cukes this year? The horror! But at least you'll get to eat squash... I like squash. But I think I prefer cucumbers. Persian cucumbers to be specific. Today I made fattoush with persian cucumbers and everyone raved. Why aren't the more readily available like the other kinds? They blow English hothouse out of the water! Isn't it kind of funny that my post which had to do with atheists and agnostics, thus a lack of religion, is filled with a ton of religion? Are you talking aout the cucumbers which are kind of sweet and whatnot? Those are a species of melon, actually. I am going to grow those too! I have lemon cukes coming up, but not my sumter cucumbers which were for Ammar. I don't know why those others aren't readily available, although it probably is just pure cultural preference. They are just as easy as anything else to grow. My jumbo pink banana squash is really awesome. In the immature stage it can be eaten like a summer squash (which are all immature squash by the way-- let them keep growing and they develop a hard shell). In the full-grown stage they can be 40+ lbs and are the ones commercially sold in sections in the grovery store sometimes-- and can store for months. well you asked the question on how to deal with ur in-laws.... right? Well I think you have heard from a few muslims and so I think this might have helped you to understand wher ur in laws are comming from...right? This really has givin you some insight. Obviously the ones who are agnostic or atheist are not very common or you might have heard from more of them. I believe ur inlaws are not a problem... the problem will be between u and ur husband and the difference in ur 2 differenciating beliefs. If you can overcome that then the inlaws will be a breeze. At least you kno the muslims standpoint on this matter now	geenee	Female	Jordan	2008-05-26 23:52:00
Middle East and North Africa	Curious MENA question...	QUOTE (sereia @ May 26 2008, 09:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Alhamdulillah @ May 26 2008, 08:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Ganja_Girl @ May 26 2008, 11:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am more of what you call a free thinker And us religious folk are a bunch of lug heads? Scientists can be, and frequently are, wrong! QUOTE (geenee @ May 26 2008, 11:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Islam is also very patient and understanding... Only God can truly be the judge of what is acceptable and not. Discouraged is a better word No, the Quran is quite clear that only chaste women from the ppl of the book are halal for muslim men to marry (other than muslim women of course). So pretty much everyone on VJ-MENA were not an acceptable mate to marry their Muslim husbands! says you?	geenee	Female	Jordan	2008-05-26 23:17:00
Middle East and North Africa	Curious MENA question...	So sad to say God ignores prayers... There is a reason for everything.... Only God knows why we have obsticles.... I wish u luck in finding ur answer.... god is with u in ur quest for the answers and believe it or not God wants you to use science and try to find an answer cuz it will lead u right back to.... there is no answer but God	geenee	Female	Jordan	2008-05-26 23:12:00
Middle East and North Africa	Curious MENA question...	QUOTE (Ganja_Girl @ May 26 2008, 08:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> By the way they stone people in Iran, what is your stand on stoning people to death? depends on what the crime is.... cuz i will tell u right now if someone rapes my baby girl.... u better believe I want him stoned.... dont put him in jail so I can foot the bill .... take him out of his misery.... cuz as i said before my sister is a sex offender therapist.... and guess what??? THERE IS NO CURE FOR IT!! NONE!! HE HAS TO LIVE OUT THE REST OF HIS DAYS TRYING TO KEEP OFF OF YOUNG BOYS AND GIRLS.... I REPEAT NO CURE!!! QUOTE (Virtual wife @ May 26 2008, 09:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Ganja_Girl @ May 26 2008, 09:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> By the way they stone people in Iran, what is your stand on stoning people to death? Stoning is not in the Quran, but it is in the Sunnah of the Prophet. It is told that it was taken from Jewish law as the Prophet was commanded to consult those who had received the Book before, then applied to Muslims who confessed 3 times to committing a grievous sin explicity disallowed by God. It is part of the Hudd Laws, which are to this day a highly controversial and hotly debated issue in Islamic law. Man girl U kno ur stuff I like you! QUOTE (Alhamdulillah @ May 26 2008, 09:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Ganja_Girl @ May 26 2008, 11:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I have read the Quran, 4 times, also the bible 7 times, so I need to re-read them because I didn't find many answers. Both books are confusing, I have to say the bible is over the top confusing, but yea to be such a divine book, it didn’t leave me much inspired. Lots of rules, so many different rules, makes no sense to me, but more power to you, that you understand. I also noticed that there are tons of contradictions, one time they state this is the way to do things, the next they break that and state that God had told them to do this now. But when they hear the word of this God, no one is around, strange. Books are hard reads to be sure, I even did a presentation on Islam in college, so I am familiar with some of the beliefs, but I am no means an expert. You have to read it and refer to the explainations and Sunnah to fully understand the meanings. The bible, however, is confusing because it's been altered and has men's words mixed with God's. God does abrogate laws or give different laws to different ppl at different times.... He has His reasons and it's not necessarily for us to understand. I don't understand the level of arrogance some ppl have to think they have to understand or comprehend everything God does in order to believe in Him. If we were capable of comprehending everything about God, we wouldn't be human. u rock!	geenee	Female	Jordan	2008-05-26 23:05:00
Middle East and North Africa	Curious MENA question...	QUOTE (Virtual wife @ May 26 2008, 08:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (geenee @ May 26 2008, 09:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> We also need to remember todays day and age has very much changed from the days of the holy quran. Just as the bible. The holy quran also says Allah is all forgiving and merciful. The bible says to stone ur son in the center of town if he shall disobey u. And the holy quran sayst the cheater shall be confined to his house until death. Islam has existed since Adam; it is not irrelevent. It's laws haven't changed, although how to implement or enforce them has varied according to the society in question. That is no justification for ignoring the fact that God has given us rules to live by, and we are given the choice to ignore them or not, at our own peril. You're welcome, Nagi! nicely put!!!	geenee	Female	Jordan	2008-05-26 22:59:00
Middle East and North Africa	Curious MENA question...	QUOTE (Ganja_Girl @ May 26 2008, 08:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I have read the Quran, 4 times, also the bible 7 times, so I need to re-read them because I didn't find many answers. Both books are confusing, I have to say the bible is over the top confusing, but yea to be such a divine book, it didn’t leave me much inspired. Lots of rules, so many different rules, makes no sense to me, but more power to you, that you understand. I also noticed that there are tons of contradictions, one time they state this is the way to do things, the next they break that and state that God had told them to do this now. But when they hear the word of this God, no one is around, strange. Books are hard reads to be sure, I even did a presentation on Islam in college, so I am familiar with some of the beliefs, but I am no means an expert. I understand what u r saying G G but here is the thing... without religion people seem to be free to think there is no consiquences for their actions. This is axactlly why we have so many things going bad here in the great US of A. Here is something to chew on... When I was in Jordan I wondered why so many children were free to walk alone in the streets with no adult watching them to not leave thier eyesight. Here in the US we dont do that... I mean some of my kids are teens and I wont let my girl walk home from school. Freedom to commit hanis crimes seems to be a real problem we are having. Now... my sister is a sex offender thereapist ....not exactlly a glorious job, but we love life and we love to give everyone the right to life here in the US. Its great but where is their fear? What are these sick individuals affraid of? Not much. They should fear God. No matter what way they look at it they should fear God's answer to thier crimes. QUOTE (Alhamdulillah @ May 26 2008, 08:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (geenee @ May 26 2008, 11:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> We also need to remember todays day and age has very much changed from the days of the holy quran. I don't believe religion is meant to be changed by men because of times changing.... not changed just understood in a manor that fits our changing evolving lives	geenee	Female	Jordan	2008-05-26 22:57:00
Middle East and North Africa	Curious MENA question...	We also need to remember todays day and age has very much changed from the days of the holy quran. Just as the bible. The holy quran also says Allah is all forgiving and merciful. The bible says to stone ur son in the center of town if he shall disobey u. And the holy quran sayst the cheater shall be confined to his house until death.	geenee	Female	Jordan	2008-05-26 22:43:00
Middle East and North Africa	Curious MENA question...	QUOTE (Ganja_Girl @ May 26 2008, 08:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well I am a person who question the whole God thing, my family refuses to label me atheist or agnostic, gives them the creeps I guess. I am more of what you call a free thinker, I just happen to rely on science. I studied religion in college, and I find it very interesting, but all religions think they have the right answer. Most of the religions have a violent past, not so much love. I don’t know the answer, wish I did, but I am open to most experiences. Too many holes, too much blind faith, after living a while on this earth, makes one start to wonder, what is wrong with this picture. What makes me crazy is when religion is used as an excuse for murder. Religion has a lot of violence in its past, all the people put to death because they had a different idea than the norm. The sad thing is will humans ever evolve to where we can just find peace with one another. Well ganga girl you have a great point but not only to religions have a dark past but humans in general. We can blame alot of it on religion but not all of it. It is animal nature. Science has its voilence too. There is violence in everything.... like animals for example. We cant control their instinct. But maybe one day the human will learn maybe not until the last day.... who knows. We just gotta do our best to help each other out.	geenee	Female	Jordan	2008-05-26 22:28:00
Middle East and North Africa	Curious MENA question...	QUOTE (Alhamdulillah @ May 26 2008, 08:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (geenee @ May 26 2008, 10:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Virtual wife @ May 26 2008, 07:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm especially curious about practicing Muslim men marrying agnostic, atheist or secular Christian and Jewish women. They don't catch heck like Muslim women who marry Christian or Jewish men do, and rarely are called out to justify it. In the Muslim culture it is believed that the man is the decision maker on the childrens religion. This is why is it ok for men to marry out of his religion but it is harder to accept from women being ... it is believed that the man is the decision maker in the childs religion This is why they discourage woman from marrying out of their religion It's only acceptable (religiously) for him to marry outside of the faith if he's marrying a chaste Christian or Jewish women.... other non-muslims are not allowed for him to marry and he would be considered a fornicator for having a sexual relationship with her if she was other than muslim or a chaste Christian or Jewess since this marriage isn't valid in Islam. Islam is also very patient and understanding... Only God can truly be the judge of what is acceptable and not. Discouraged is a better word	geenee	Female	Jordan	2008-05-26 22:23:00
Middle East and North Africa	Curious MENA question...	QUOTE (julianna @ May 26 2008, 08:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (LaL @ May 26 2008, 10:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks It was a pretty darn stressful few days when they came to realization that he no longer practices. But his doubts started back in university and have steadily waned since. Essentially we both did not marry outside of our religions because we don't ascribe to such. It only was an issue during that trip. At this point - it's a nonissue That's true. And that would be another part to my question if it applied-- how his/her family deals with him/her not practicing. Sounds like your inlaws took it in stride, about as well as any family tends to take this sort of thing, MENA, American, or wherever they are from. They just deal with it... It is his or her choice. Some may not deal with it too well but such is life	geenee	Female	Jordan	2008-05-26 22:15:00
Middle East and North Africa	Curious MENA question...	QUOTE (julianna @ May 26 2008, 07:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (geenee @ May 26 2008, 09:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Im sorry... Im new but Im curious.... what was the question? I know some people on here are more or less agnostic or atheist. I was curious as to if you sort of keep this to yourselves when you meet your MENA spouse's family, if they know, or if even your spouse knows, and how does the family deal with it. Well personally I would just keep it to yourself when it comes to his family. If they have questions answer as basic as possible. Leave it to your husband to deal with his family. It is his life Choice to be with you so he can handle his family. Muslim men feel very strongly about their religion. Women too but its always good in a relationship to understand each others choice in religion. But I must warn u ... It can turn into a heated discussion	geenee	Female	Jordan	2008-05-26 21:51:00