biggish data

Wondering what other sites he/she is on??

I couldn't find anything significant on any of my husband's email addresses or mine. We both used to have myspace accounts but we deleted them over a year ago. Those didn't even show up. My husband and I discussed all the sites we had joined at some point and deleted the old ones. Maybe that makes a difference, I don't know.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-05-31 13:28:00

Bickering in MENA

QUOTE (sara535 @ Jul 1 2008, 12:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm gonna sing kum-by-ah now.

Good idea

Shouldn't we all?

What was that song "We are the world, we are the children....."?

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-01 00:31:00

It was common for Christians, Muslims and Jewish to cover their hair for a long time. Awhile back I was watching Schinler's List and noticed many Jewish women covering their hair in that movie and that was in the 20th century. People don't think about that though. It just got popular to not cover hair anymore and people stopped doing it.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-01 00:48:00

QUOTE (?JP? @ Jun 30 2008, 11:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (desert_fox @ Jun 30 2008, 07:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Virtual wife @ Jun 30 2008, 09:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Muslims aren't even treated all that well on this board.

Try being a Christian in a Muslim counry and see how well you are treated.....if they dont kill ya.

This is probebly in reference to the report on 60 minutes last night about Iraqi Christians in Iraq who have not been treated well. Then again, who has?

Actually in the beginning it was worse to be a muslim. Christians could get by with a lot more. My husband had a shia friend and a Christian one (him being sunni), my husband and the shia guy kept joking to the Christian that he was getting over but after the shia's and sunnis got tired of killing each other the Christians would be next. They all knew it was a joke to a sad situation where lines were being drawn between long time friends that shouldn't be there. No one is safe in Iraq. Everything a Christian could say was done to them has been done just as much to everyone else (muslim or any other religion there).

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-06-30 23:09:00

QUOTE (Alhamdulillah @ Jun 30 2008, 10:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Virtual wife @ Jun 30 2008, 10:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Alhamdulillah @ Jun 30 2008, 09:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (rclouse @ Jun 30 2008, 01:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

One question: where does it say in the Koran that women are obliged to wear a hijab?

An-Nur 24:31
Depends on how one understands it but there are other other sources of reference that elaborate on it. It also helps to have an understanding of how women in that time were already wearing their veils.

Well, actually, no verse in the Quran mentions hijab as a means of dress. 24:31 mentions covering your bosom with a khimar, a cloth that both men and women wore, but it doesnt use the word hijab to refer to a method of dress for women. Also, everyone wore veils, Muslims, pagans, Christians, Jews. It's a hot and arid climate and they didnt have hats. Head covering predates monotheism in the ME.

Well, no one asked if "hijab" is the proper name for the method of dress but only if what he understands as hijab is ordered in the Quran or not.
Yes, both men and women wear khimars over their heads but it was the women specifically who were addressed in this verse. Women used to wear their veils over their heads but with the ends slung back behind their heads/shoulders. This verse specifically tells them to draw their veils (which are already on their heads) over their bosoms. It seems clear to me and others and this is the majority opinion (which doesn't always make it right I know). I know you and others don't agree but this is how those of us who wear "hijab" understand it and why we wear what we wear.

I agree, if you are going to wear it than you should wear it correctly. The verse is vague, but I think it is up to each muslim to figure out what is right and what Allah (swt) wanted with this and act accordingly.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-06-30 22:46:00

QUOTE (77Maureen @ Apr 10 2008, 05:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wouldn't life be great if we all could just get along with each other and there would be no discrimination?

yes, it would!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-04-10 07:27:00

QUOTE (Bassi and Zainab @ Apr 9 2008, 06:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Rocketta @ Apr 9 2008, 11:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

wow, this thread is on a very bad tangent. I don't mean to speak for Donna but I think part of what she is saying is that yes there are ignorant idiots in the US but there are ignorant idiots everywhere......then the convo starting spiraling. lol

I saw this story when it was aired on TV and yes it is very touching and give you hope. I've heard some seriously stupid comments from my family and I would've never thought I would hear them from my family. So it's been an enlightening, sad time for me. I'm not Muslim but my husband is but guys don't have it as tough as women.

I know when I was in Jordan, a cab driver said something very untoward to my husband about me and he was very very very angry so it does happen everywhere and it's wrong wherever it happens.

I probably should have ignored her comments, but I think that her comments were typical of the people in the video (the majority) who did nothing. Who said nothing. It's disgraceful because it allows discrimation to continue. Her very first post said

QUOTE

I agreed. I am offended by discrimanatory treatment wherever it happens. I didn't comment to that post because I don't live anywhere else. I live here in the USA. So I address injustices at home. The video was about injustices here in the USA. I didn't respond to the post because it didn't appear to be immediately relevant to the discussion at hand.

However, she continued and posted the following:

QUOTE

yeah ur aloud to practice the religion u want in america but it doent mean someone has to like u because of it.... people every day get discriminated against just not muslims....i have been treated like ####### becuase im over weight....yeah ive had hurtful things done to me...u just get over it.... i sure can relate to what the girl was feeling but get over it.

These comments offended me. "just get over it" What?!

Is that what you tell your children? It's just how it is, just get over it? NO. It's wrong. It shouldn't happen. It's not okay. It's NOT acceptable behavior. People don't have the right to discriminate or oppress in this country. Further, even if they did, having a right to do something doesn't make it the right thing to do. It's lazy to say, just deal with it.

Thankyou and I agree with your post. Racism and hatred only spreads if you allow it. It will always be there, but it can be reduced by standing up for what you believe. Honestly, american history is an excellent example of that. Christian people came here to get away from persecution. This is why they put freedom of religion into the constitution. All Americans also have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. No one should have to suffer insults. It is a person's right to defend themselves, not have to "get over it". There is nothing, anywhere in this country, that says people must dress or look a certain way (unless they aren't wearing enough clothes). We all grew up hearing about people who stood up for their rights. Are we to now believe that way wrong?

The funniest thing of all is that people get so scared of women who cover their hair. Often these people are Christian. Did they ever look at a picture of the virgin Mary? In every picture I have ever seen she has her hair covered. Should Christians persecute her and deny her. Should nuns from the catholic church be persecuted for covering their hair and not dressing "American"? What would America be like today if people didn't stand up for their beliefs? Thats right, women still wouldn't be able to vote or have all the rights they have now, there might still be slaves, and so many other things. I don't care what other countries do, I hold this country accountable as this is where I was born and where I hold my citizenship. Rude behavior should never be tolerated.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-04-09 22:56:00

Donna,

Here is another quote for you from the Gettysburg Address just to help you out a little more about knowing what this country was founded on and meant to be:

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met here on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this....."

Abraham Lincoln

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-04-09 07:47:00

QUOTE (Donna A @ Apr 9 2008, 01:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

well there is a flip side also...go to a muslim country and wear revealing clothes and see how u r treated there. i can imagine it would be the same. so to be offended by the way americans think or how they react would be the same if u were the one doing some thing out of the norm in a muslim country.

take a bible to saudi arabia or even talk about christianity there and see what happens. so this kind of behavior is not just in the united states but in muslim counties as well.

the difference is muslims in the united states can go on the news and speak about the misjustice that happens to them and a christian in a muslim country cant. no one would listen to them telling how badly they were treated.

This is where you are wrong. My family has been in this country since the start of this country. I have a right to be muslim if I want to. The middle east countries you mentioned were not founded to have freedom of religion or equality. Are you saying that America should be just like them? That we should act just like the countries the forefathers fled from to create this country? That is the whole point of America is to allow diversity, freedom and equality. No one expects it in the middle east, but it should be expected here in America. Read the consitution or declaration of Independence and you will see that they were trying to make things better here. That people could come here to avoid persecution.

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-04-09 07:34:00

This video was so touching. I want to wear the hijab, but it isn't possible in my work and would cause many problems. I hate that muslims must live in fear of racism. Constantly I am trying to teach my family to see things in a different way. For some it is easy, for others it is not easy and that is just within my family.

This country was founded on the belief that everyone was created equally. People came here to get away from religious persecution. How quickly those ignorant people forget what people fought and died for to make this country. The best we can do is stand up for what we believe in. Others before faced persecution, but inshallah this difficult time for muslims will pass and Islam will be more accepted.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-04-08 20:16:00

visa on monday....

That is so wonderful! Congratulations. Right now I need to hear good news like this so I can keep my hopes up.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-06-29 20:47:00

QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Jul 1 2008, 01:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Alhamdulillah @ Jun 30 2008, 10:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm thankful that after a late nap, I feel sleepy again and might actually be able to sleep tonight before Fajr lol

I have had to put my lap top right next to my bed with the Athen on Loud so I will wake up.... this week is no prayer week (you know what I mean) which means next week will be very difficult to get back on track. Insha'allah the 3 am AThen on Extra loud will work.

The adhan goes off at 4:07 am here. Definitely not easy to get up to.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-01 01:09:00

QUOTE (Virtual wife @ Jul 1 2008, 01:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Jun 30 2008, 11:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm thankful it is my birthday and God has blessed me with another year on this earth!

Happy Birthday!

Thanks!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-01 01:04:00

QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Jul 1 2008, 12:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Jun 30 2008, 10:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm thankful it is my birthday and God has blessed me with another year on this earth!

Happy Birthday

Thankyou

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-01 00:44:00

QUOTE (just_Jackie @ Jul 1 2008, 12:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

awww, thanks Jackie

and Sara

Edited by S and S, 01 July 2008 - 12:43 AM.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-01 00:42:00

I'm thankful it is my birthday and God has blessed me with another year on this earth!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-01 00:39:00

Visa in Hand

Congratulations!!! I hope you are reunited with your fiance soon.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-06-30 22:19:00

The Ha, Ha, Ha Me/Na Thread

QUOTE (Donna A @ Jul 1 2008, 09:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

arguing in mena is a hobby for some.

I'm shocked

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-01 21:17:00

The Ha, Ha, Ha Me/Na Thread

QUOTE (chaishai @ Jul 1 2008, 07:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Jul 1 2008, 08:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Next time a woman does that you should whisper something in your husband's ear, give a sexy look and smile at him while you do it. Then look at that woman with as much pity as you can.

Just a suggestion, but that is what I would do. Let her feel like a fool.

you posted in the wrong thread! lol
another alternative would be to look at her and say "threesome?"
lol
not sure who watches seinfeld but george and jerry tried that to get a girl off of their back!

Yeah, I fixed it but it was too late, lol

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-01 19:43:00

The Ha, Ha, Ha Me/Na Thread

Edited by S and S, 01 July 2008 - 07:42 PM.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-01 19:41:00

QUOTE (just_Jackie @ Jul 3 2008, 03:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

s and s what visa will he come on ?

Jackie

According to the letter I got and the Department of State website it is an Iraqi P-2 visa. Here is the link that explains it:

http://www.state.gov...2008/100742.htm

I'm sorry you have to start all over with your SO. That must be so hard. I really hope the process goes fast for you.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-03 15:52:00

QUOTE (Rocketta @ Jul 3 2008, 09:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm so Jealous!!!

but CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I'm sure your time will come soon too I am sure! Then we can both celebrate reuniting with our husbands.

Edited by S and S, 03 July 2008 - 02:25 PM.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-03 14:24:00

QUOTE (againstthegrain @ Jul 2 2008, 07:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Jul 2 2008, 10:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (estadia @ Jul 2 2008, 12:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Jul 2 2008, 10:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Rocketta @ Jul 2 2008, 12:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Jul 2 2008, 12:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

lol, I hope that means soon!

me too but hubby has a little more to do to catch your husband. Keep HOPE alive!

I got a call today from the local agency that handles refugees. They have gotten the request to sponsor my husband after he gets here. They called me to verify that I wanted him to come to my city (lol, of course I do). They are sending back their acceptance today. They also said all we are waiting now on is booking his flight. This means he is approved!!! Hopefully he will get the call from the IOM soon. I am so excited. Not long now.

big big congratulations to u

Thankyou, this is the best news I have heard in a long time!

Nice to see some others filing on behalf of an Iraqi fiancé/spouse on here.

I just sent in an I-129F application to get my fiancée over here a month and a half or so ago. She's from Mosul, but has been living as a refugee in Syria (where we met). I just requested an expedite on humanitarian grounds, explaining she's at risk of being deported from Syria and would face extreme danger back in Iraq... hopefully the folks over at the USCIS have some conscience about what Iraqis are going through and approve it.

Did you apply for accelerated processing?

- Daniel

No, we didn't need to apply for accelerated processing. All Iraqis are automatically put into accelerated processing. All of our cases were approved in under a month or even a week after NOA1. At least this is what I know for those of us with Iraqi spouses. I am not sure about fiances because that is a different type of visa. I married my husband in Syria where he was a refugee before moving to Jordan so I can relate to your situation. I wish you the best of luck!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-02 19:15:00

QUOTE (estadia @ Jul 2 2008, 12:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Jul 2 2008, 10:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Rocketta @ Jul 2 2008, 12:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Jul 2 2008, 12:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

lol, I hope that means soon!

me too but hubby has a little more to do to catch your husband. Keep HOPE alive!

big big congratulations to u

Thankyou, this is the best news I have heard in a long time!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-02 12:21:00

QUOTE (Rocketta @ Jul 2 2008, 12:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Jul 2 2008, 12:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

lol, I hope that means soon!

me too but hubby has a little more to do to catch your husband. Keep HOPE alive!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-02 12:16:00

QUOTE (just_Jackie @ Jul 1 2008, 11:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I sure wish Ibrahim was on that plane. It's gonna be a longgggggggggggg time til he flies anywhere.

I have the worst time keeping up with where everyone is at. Where is he in the process now?

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-01 23:57:00

QUOTE (Rocketta @ Jul 1 2008, 11:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (S and S @ Jul 1 2008, 05:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They are trying to fix the material support problem, but my husband said he has met some Iraqi families denied refugee for that reason so not sure when it will get fixed. I just read some reports on the Department of State website that said they plan to address that problem.

According to all estimates I read and looked at, which are many, there are about 500,000 to 800,000 Iraqis in Jordan. They estimate up to 2 million in Syria. I forget the estimates for Egypt, Lebanon and Turkey which also have sizeable refugee populations though lower than Jordan and Syria. Sweden also took in about 30,000 Iraqis before they had to call it quits. It took my husband 3 attempts over a year to get into Jordan even though he was married to me for two of those attempts. He must work for free as a doctor because he isn't authorized to get paid. Yet if he doesn't work then he loses his skills. Some Iraqi doctors are even required to pay the hospital $100 a month to work in them. The whole situation is frustrating.

I knew Jordan would be slow to process for the spouse visa so I just went ahead and had my husband go the refugee route. He has everything done (interviews, fingerprints, sworn statements, physical exam, etc). It is just the approval and booking the plane tickets that is left. I hate the waiting. We have been married 13 months now, but I know others have had it worse.

Our husbands are going to be on the same plane, I just have a feeling.

lol, I hope that means soon!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-01 23:50:00

I don't think there is any difference in processing visas. That is not what I meant. What I meant is that it was faster to process as a refugee than as a spouse.

The vast majority of Iraqis do not register in Jordan because they can't get visas. My husband got one for three months, but then they wouldn't renew it so now he isn't there legally. This is the case with many of the other Iraqis too. The only place that Iraqis actually bother to register is at the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee).

Here are some sites you can check out to see what I am saying:

http://www.humanrigh...ordan-syria.pdf

http://www.refugeesi...try/detail/2941

http://www.unhcr.org...mp;id=470387fc2

I personally appreciate what Jordan has done for the Iraqis. It is more than most countries and they already had so many Palestinian refugees. Please never think I would criticize Jordan. They really did all they could and they don't have a lot of natural rescources or strong economy to handle such an influx of people. I was just describing what my husband went through.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-01 17:11:00

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-01 16:36:00

They let almost no Iraqis in during 2006. Only about 700 were let in during 2007. Almost 6000 have been accepted this year. My husband is still waiting for his approval so I keep up with this.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-01 12:28:00

Visa In Hand!

Congratulations!!! I wish you a happy reunion with your SO.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-03 16:10:00

Wish us luck!

Good luck! There are a lot of arabic restaurants and places to buy halal meat which is good. I am sure your husband will like the area and I hope you enjoy your new job!

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-03 15:59:00

Did You Change or Hyphenate Your Name?

QUOTE (esmatsgirl @ Jul 3 2008, 02:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I changed mine...however I have not started using it officially yet...I am waiting for him to get here. We have some issues with the way it is spelled vs. the way it should be spelled. If we spell it the way it was translated in his passport, it will be pronounced incorrectly here in the US. Eventually, we will be changing the spelling a little. Also, he has Al in front of his name....in Jordan they do not pronounce the "Al" part of the name out loud.....it is silent....but when it is translated from arabic into english, the Al comes along and you know how that gets botched up in the US. In the end, we will keep the Al, I do think....despite anti-middle eastern sentiment...which is only shown by ignorant people that do not fully understand the people, culture and religion of the middle east. I am ready for them if I get any rude reactions on my new arabic last name...which I am very proud of.

Long story short...yes, I changed my name...my husband is extremely proud as I am very proud to have the honor of being a part of his family and using his name. You know, a lot of women already have the same last (family) name of their husbands...usually marrying within the same family.....so they don't have to change it. In my husband's family the women that married into the family that were not already in the family did change their last names.

Eventually we have plans to move back to Jordan (in quite a few years) and I will then hold dual citizenship...for fun we already picked out my arabic last name. Yasmin. It means the same thing as Jasmine...the flower. Since I love Jasmine so much my husband picked this name for me. It was that or Farah...which means Joy.

Hope this helps....
Deb

I hyphenated the "Al" part of my husband's last name. Mostly I just get questions about where the name comes from. Then when I tell them they say "oh, okay". One guy then asked if I was from Iraq! I simply said no so he asked how I got my name. As a joke I said I bought it at a market there. That if he goes to Iraq he could buy anything, lol. I swear he was going to believe me, but my co-workers were laughing so hard that he caught on.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-03 14:37:00

Did You Change or Hyphenate Your Name?

I moved my maiden name to my middle name. Then took my husband's last name as my last name. This way I could keep both. It took awhile to change credit cards and things over so it helped to gave an ID still showing my maiden name somewhere so they didn't get confused or refuse my credit card.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-03 14:22:00

My love and i got married today!

Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you both. God knows you deserve it for all your patience. I wish you a long happy life together.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-03 16:14:00

I need some suggestions

My wedding anniversary passed a little over a month ago and my husband and I are still not together either. We have hopes that he will be here soon so we just sent e-cards to each other and talked on the internet all evening. That was about it. I'm probably not the best example though. I hope others can give you some good advice.

Hang in there. I hope you and your SO will be together soon.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-06 01:34:00

Sunday in MENA land

QUOTE (amal @ Jul 6 2008, 06:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

happy sunday !
i went to the mosque for the first time. amazing experience. every muslim/muslima should go at least once.

That is actually where I am going tonight is the mosque. One of the muslim couple's had a baby boy so they slaughtered a sheep and will cook it and some food up to give as a thanks for their blessing. I think it is really nice.

S and S

Female

Iraq

2008-07-06 18:27:00