ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan and related dates
Try www.isna.net http://www.isna.net/...-and-Peace.aspx
Aug 22 - Sept 19th are the dates in the US this year.
Hopefully someone else can chime in with a source for the other question!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-09-04 05:04:00
Middle East and North AfricaCo-Sponsor Question....
I don't know if Casa is requiring sponsorship information anymore but when we applied no one asked. My dad co-sponsored my husband at AOS no problems.

QUOTE (MouadsWife @ Sep 15 2009, 07:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I recently just read a post that some sonsulates of reluctant to accept a cosponsor that is not a family member. I;m wonder if this should be a concern of mine since we are going through Casablanca, and my cosponosr is not a family member. Show I freak out girlwerewolf2xn.gif and panick now? And what have been the experiences of those who have gone through Casa who's sponosr was not family or was family....???


MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-09-15 22:10:00
Middle East and North AfricaSupporting your s/o through the big change...
chai - I think that there are people who do find gainful and successful employment however I too don't know what it is that they do to get those jobs. I think part of it is that someone gave them a chance. I think for a lot of immigrants who end up on the lower end they do so because there aren't business owners/ceo's/hiring managers who are willing to take the chance on someone with limited US employment history and few references.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-08-15 08:51:00
Middle East and North AfricaSupporting your s/o through the big change...
How good is his English? That will be probably THE biggest hurdle in getting gainful employment. If it's not so great, then I hate to say it but getting any job let alone an engineering job is going to be difficult if not impossible. As UmmSqueakster said - do whatever you can now to get him ready, degrees evaluated, resume fixed, does he know anyone in the US? Because he'll need references for any employment application and listing those people who know him in Egypt is not going to work.

I understand that he's successful etc, but I honestly think he needs to be prepared to do whatever until he can get the engineering job. There are people here (I live in DC) who are doctors, lawyers, people who had successful careers at home that drive taxis, work in restaurants and do whatever they need to do to support their families until they can make the steps towards working back in their field. If he's only willing to work as an engineer and you're going to be in law school you need to be prepared for several months of limited to no income.

If things are good for you there in Egypt have you thought about doing law school there? Through AU Cairo or another program? I'm sure there may be other reasons you're looking to come back to the US but just a thought to consider.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-07-20 08:35:00
Middle East and North Africajust something to think about
Money - more combat pay if you have another dependent/dependent on the way?

QUOTE (doodlebugg @ Sep 18 2009, 08:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If the military recognizes the marriage shouldn't it be law that all states recognize it, as long as one of the parties is in the miltary? I bet they could win on appeal or something. What I don't get though is why did they actually want to conceive a child before he got deployed? I mean they did that on purpose according to the article. That confuses me. Being pregnant is a time when you really need support from your husband.


MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-09-18 15:06:00
Middle East and North Africasome good news and need help ....
It will probably take between 3 and 4 weeks to get your letter - and your interview will probably be about a month from then, so approx 6-8 weeks from today.

QUOTE (sinad @ Sep 15 2009, 10:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
what do u mean?
im still waiting fot the interview letter !


MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-09-15 15:24:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2009
Any source for that? My husband says we aren't even allowed to touch each other - even in passing! He goes out of his way to avoid me! Not to mention then most of the night, aside from eating he is locked away in the room reading/praying etc. It's very isolating. I know that this month is about feeling closer to God and working on our spiritual relationship but I feel like my marital relationship is suffering!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-09-04 11:30:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2009
QUOTE (oldahmed @ Aug 24 2009, 10:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (MrsAmera @ Aug 23 2009, 11:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Has anyone ever heard that it's not ok to swim when fasting?? My husband swears he's never heard of anyone swimming during Ramadan and that somehow it's prohibited. I think that's so not true. Anyone heard of this? I hate to say it but I'm a little upset because summer is coming to an end and this so called belief that he has, means no more swimming for the kids before the pools close! He doesn't want me to go swimming but comes up with this too?


Yes. I've heard and read about your husband's "so called belief." Ramadan is not about giving up drink and food only, but also other things you are allowed in other times of the year. That, in addition to the risk of drinking water while swimming.


I'm pretty sure he won't swallow any water sitting in the wading pool with our 5 and 2 year old sons...I'm not talking about swimming olympic laps, just about playing with our kids in the shallow end of the water.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-08-24 13:25:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2009
Has anyone ever heard that it's not ok to swim when fasting?? My husband swears he's never heard of anyone swimming during Ramadan and that somehow it's prohibited. I think that's so not true. Anyone heard of this? I hate to say it but I'm a little upset because summer is coming to an end and this so called belief that he has, means no more swimming for the kids before the pools close! He doesn't want me to go swimming but comes up with this too?
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-08-23 22:41:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2009
When I was pregnant I did not fast. I had a really tough pregnancy and lost a lot of weight and the doctor had me on a very strict "eating" diet! My husband swears his sisters fasted (his elderly ill mother also fasts which I think is less than safe). But ultimately I knew my body couldn't handle it and I was too worried about my baby by that time to think about it!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-07-27 12:40:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2009
This is my 5th Ramadan and I've never done it outside of the US. I wonder what it is like. The vibe I get from my husband is that everyone sleeps all day, no one works, and parties all night. If so I don't know if I would like it. It really makes me mad when he thinks he should just sleep all day because he's fasting - sort of misses the point doesn't it? Couldn't we then say that every night when we go to sleep we're fasting?
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-07-21 11:46:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2009
UmmS - I LOVE it!!! That's exactly what I was looking for but a more general thing for a Qu'ran study! I downloaded this to use this year!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-07-21 08:25:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2009
On one of the homeschooling (the best Islamic homeschooling site I've found!) I discovered that she has a special Ramadan site! Anyway she also has this great planner! You can just print the pages that you like - I especially love the meal planning pages. Since we will be living with my parents (non-Muslim) during this Ramadan I hope that this will really push me and help me to have meal plans in place - make my shopping and cooking easier as well. *crosses fingers*
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-07-21 08:01:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2009
Reviving the thread only a few more weeks! The last few years of Ramadan I have never really felt any different and mostly suffered through the whole time. I am really hoping this year will be different! We will be living with my parents (maybe, might have our own house ready before Ramadan starts) and I'm really trying to figure out how the logistics of eating in the morning are going to work. Inshallah it will be ok!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-07-20 09:04:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2009
Ohhh my husband says the same thing!!!!!! For me if it's food it works. Plus I break my fast with Diet Coke. Sorry folks but that's my vice and I often dream about that first sip LOL. (Sign of a real addict I think). Even though we've done Ramadan together for 3 years (this will be the 4th) he STILL gets the look of fear on his face when I crack open my Diet Coke - pshh whatever! Maybe if it was date flavored he would be into it?

Anyway - I stock up on what has been said so far, as well as all my meat etc to freeze so I don't have to worry about that. I also have cookies in the freezer and different bread things - briouats, b'stilla, regular bread, etc.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-07-10 08:30:00
Middle East and North Africawearing rings
If you're getting bent out of shape from a comment that was not even implying anything then you have a rough road ahead of you sweetheart. You're going to be second guessed from here to kindgom-come for having a Moroccan spouse, and the Moroccan community will be abuzz wondering just how valid your relationship is. Just a little thing to keep in mind.

Also - he shouldn't wear it - they're not going to inspect his fingers for sun marks - but a ring will be fairly obvious. Don't take chances on something silly.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-08-29 17:05:00
Middle East and North AfricaNeed advice before trip to Morocco
good.gif Yes - what she said!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-09-27 22:45:00
Middle East and North AfricaNeed advice before trip to Morocco
Hmm....well just reading what you wrote I would say yes you are wasting your time. It sounds to me like he is not interested in having a relationship with you. If he were then his family would know about you. He wouldn’t keep it hidden. Also him telling you that he doesn’t want you to come live in Morocco, and he doesn’t want to come live in the US. Well that’s between a rock and a hard place. The odds of him and you getting a visa to Europe is slim.
Where would you be staying if you went? Knowing that you’ve never been to Morocco I can’t imagine you’d be comfortable staying in a hotel yourself – and a respectful man would not share a room with you (nor would be legally be allowed to). Do you know for sure that he’s not already married? You’ve only been talking to him online for four months – I think it’s very premature to be heading over there. You mentioned that you had already offered to help him financially, why? This is a huge flag in my opinion, although he refused it this time it could have just been a bait to see if you would offer. I didn’t meet my husband online so I’m not really sure how that angle works but I don’t think I would have ever offered him money even after we had a relationship. There are men there, and all over the world for that matter that make their living scamming women online, they are professionals, they know what they are doing. I’m not saying that this is definitely what he is doing but it sounds like it might be. Again I’m not trying to be mean just trying to give you some honest advice. He seems to be scaring you away from Morocco . Do you know the reasons why he left the states? Was it really just to be closer to family or were there other reasons?

MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-08-15 21:32:00
Middle East and North AfricaI need more education on halal foods
QUOTE (chemaatah @ Feb 12 2009, 03:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
so expense, convenience, and sheikhs with bad intel are all it takes to sway some people. that's pretty amazing. i feel like such a martyr now. tongue.gif


Hmmm reads as pretty judgmental but that's nothing new from the source...
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-02-12 16:40:00
Middle East and North AfricaI need more education on halal foods
Wow, so condescending......judging others also so very islamic...
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-02-12 15:50:00
Middle East and North AfricaI need more education on halal foods
QUOTE (notime4haterz @ Feb 11 2009, 11:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
That he does not slaughter it by the way specified by shari'ah as is the case if he chokes it or electrocutes it until it dies or drowns it in water until it dies or kills it by a bullet, etc. In this case there is no doubt that eating it is forbidden since it is maita (meat of an animal that has died without properly being slaughtered) and Allah has forbidden it in the Qur'an (interpretation of the meaning): "… and forbidden unto you is maita…" (al-Maa'ida:3)

The above fatwa comes from Al-Munajid's website.

Also, see below for the slaughter process in the US which states that the animals are electrocuted and then shot in the head with a bullet.

http://en.wikipedia..../Slaughterhouse


Not every can be as perfect as you....

Also pretty sure you need a special permit to slaughter it yourself. Having grown up in farming communities many farmers are very hesitant to allow people to slaughter themselves as meat sold in the US is required to be killed in licensed and approved slaughterhouses.

Edited by MrsAmera, 11 February 2009 - 11:55 AM.

MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-02-11 11:53:00
Middle East and North AfricaI need more education on halal foods
QUOTE (UmmSqueakster @ Feb 11 2009, 09:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Except that we don't know that the meat in the supermarket was actually slaughtered by a person of the book. That's my (main) issue with supermarket meat. It may be, but who's to say the guy at the slaughterhouse is a christian? That's what I mean by scholars back home don't quite understand our situation here. Sure, the US is a christian majority country, but by no means is everyone a christian. I think they believe since the US is a 'christian country', that the slaughterhouse staff is christian, but do we really know?

I would have no problem purchasing meat from a butcher I knew was a practicing christian or jew, and he slaughtered the meat in an appropriate manner (without electric shocks or metal rods shot into the brain, which are other reasons I can't eat supermarket meat). In fact, I'm looking at the organic/free range ranchers in the area for someone who is, so we can purchase meat directly from them once we have a house and a big meat freezer inshaAllah. Haven't found one yet, but we have a year or 2 until we get that big meat freezer smile.gif



Well knowing the slaughterhouses back in the Midwest odds are pretty decent the person doing the slaughtering was even Muslim! I'd be interested to know if Muslims who work in slaughterhouses tend to say a blessing or just go forward with the killing.....hmmmmm
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-02-11 09:47:00
Middle East and North AfricaI need more education on halal foods
I am going to agree with UmmSqueakster on this one. He doesn't get it yet, he's not here. My husband said "yes of course I only eat halal" until he moved to BFW (BF Wisconsin) and there was no halal meat. He hates vegetables, so that left him with fruit and beans, and it lasted ooooooh a day?? After talking to the imam at the mosque it was quite ok for him to say bismillah and dig into grocery store meat. Also this may cause an uproar but the Quran says it's permissible to eat the meat of the people of the book. Turkey, chicken, beef, all pob (people of the book) food. For us it's not an issue now. Also when a pound of ground beef at the halal store is $6 and a pound of ground beef at the grocery store is $3 come on. Economics come into consideration. We have 4 mouths to feed!

As for the family this was an issue. We had to be very careful what we ate at first. This year was the first Christmas gathering where everyone was VERY accomodating and left pork items off the menu. It really was so much more relaxing and easy for us. The hardest is the kids. For example we eat pepperoni pizza, with turkey pepperoni, however when we're with my family they have pork pepperoni, it's pretty tough to explain to a 4 yr old why he can eat something that looks the same at home but not at grandma's. We've since talked to him about it and I think it's ok now. But you should have seen the death stares of my family when he was throwing a fit because we wouldn't let him eat the pepperoni pizza....
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-02-11 09:34:00
Middle East and North AfricaMoroccan members, how many visits to SO??
I was there 4 times including when my husband had his interview. I definately do think that it helped. But 3 weeks is a lot longer than some people can go for. There are several people I know that only spent a week together before the interview. Regardless of how the interview turns out, I think the longer you can spend with your SO in person the easier both the adjustment and marriage will be. How many of us would marry someone we had only known in the states for a week?
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-09-27 22:43:00
Middle East and North AfricaSending money to ME/NA
My MIL and SIL are widows (SIL with 3 young children) and so we send money as often as possible usually on a monthly basis. I know they really need the money and we work it into our budget. It's important to both of us that they are financially taken care of as they are there alone without any other male family members to provide for them.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-10-14 13:38:00
Middle East and North AfricaEasy way to make bread or pita bread?
Not sure what Egyptian bread is like but here's my recipe(s) for Moroccan bread(s)
http://marocmama.blo...ch/label/Breads
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-10-15 23:04:00
Middle East and North AfricaTRICK OR TREAT
So stinking cute!! My boys won't make up their minds but I think they will end up being ninjas.. it changes daily with my oldest from transformer, firefighter, soldier, you name it. He is in love with lobsters though so I asked him if he wanted to be a lobster - that got a big no. The little one wants to be whatever his brother is so I'll have to figure out something that works for both but is different enough that the oldest gets ticked off.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-10-14 13:58:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe First Year...
My husband is coming up on his 4 year anniversary of being in the States - and 5 years together. I'm with those who said it took 2+ years to really get the groove down and we still have issues but it's no longer really cultural things- more everyday things that any couple under regular circumstances would face. Whereas the first two years were really adjustment issues. It's really amazing to see them metomorphize over time and come into themselves, at least for my husband - I look back now and really can see where he transformed from being very dependent and needing guidance to coming into himself and being very confident. There was a time when I worried what would happen if I passed away or was seriously ill/injured, esp with our kids because I wasn't sure he would be able to handle things - now I don't worry at all.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-10-19 14:11:00
Middle East and North AfricaMinnesota MENA Mini-Meet Up, anyone?
Are we doing girls only or couples? The 14th/15th works for us if we're going in a mixed group. 21st and 22nd works for girls only. smile.gif So I'm game either way!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-10-26 20:09:00
Middle East and North AfricaMinnesota MENA Mini-Meet Up, anyone?
Yes, yes yes!!! I'm only a little drive away. I think Friday might not work because we're going to the UP but another weekend --- what's this about a booksale next weekend?? We need to come by for a Holy Land visit and hubby is off work next weekend...might that work?

QUOTE (100% Al Ahly Fan @ Oct 8 2009, 11:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Sorry folks, I didn't mean necessarly meet for THIS Friday. I just meant we need to get together soon, because Laura is right....it's gonna get nasty cold soon enough.

Anyhow, let's find a date and see when we can all connect??? I'd love to meet all of you!

Sharifah


MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-10-08 12:52:00
Middle East and North AfricaTrust Issues With Doctors...
I've not heard of that - but I know my husband had to pay her, then he had to pay for the medicine for the vaccines. As for cost, well it was 4 years ago so I'm just gonna guess that the price has gone up! lol. I know a lot of people do go to her and have never heard of problems. I'm sure if there were she would have been reported to the American consulate and they would take her name off their list.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-10-28 21:24:00
Middle East and North AfricaTrust Issues With Doctors...
I'm not sure what issues you are referring to - it's a routine medical exam what would the worry be? My husband went to Dr. Khadija about 4 years ago however, no issues - everything was fine.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-10-28 21:16:00
Middle East and North Africairanian birthcertificate
What about his naturalization certificate? I would assume that would state his place of birth, sent along with a note explaining it has was lost in Iran ( if it's lost his relatives wouldn't be able to find it in any office...)
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-10-20 09:12:00
Middle East and North AfricaHas received Green Card YEAH
My husband has traveled with our son to Morocco several times and has never been asked for anything. I always send a letter giving my permission in English, Arabic and French just in case. Now when he came back this last time he came with a family friend who is his babysitter here in the States. The State Dept told me that I only needed to send a letter giving her permission to take him into the country however they were detained for like 3 hours (with her 4 other kids) the officer finally let them through because he could see that my son knew her well, was playing with the kids, not crying etc. So send a notorized letter just in case. The problems would be here when re-entering the US not in Morocco.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-10-30 08:53:00
Middle East and North AfricaVJ-MENA meetup in Las Vegas?
Eid is the day after Thanksgiving. Sounds like fun! Maybe we'll see about going but we're planning a trip to DC around that time.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-09-01 08:33:00
Middle East and North AfricaNeed your prayers please !!!
Please be careful - my mom was hospitalized for 3 days with pnuemonia after having H1N1 - make sure to take him to the ER if anything is suspicious. She became delusional from her fever and immediately was admitted.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-11-19 17:53:00
Middle East and North AfricaBook Suggestions for Learning Moroccan Arabic
My husband had said the same thing. My Moroccan friends have all said that the northern accents are considered "better" than the southern - my husband is from the south and they always tease him about his accent.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-11-02 11:52:00
Middle East and North AfricaBook Suggestions for Learning Moroccan Arabic
Those are the three books that I know of in Darija. I have used the peace corp book and the Georgetown Univ. book. They are both good but some of the vocabulary in the Georgetown book is outdated.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-10-30 09:24:00
Middle East and North AfricaComing to America!
My husband has been here for 4 years come January. His flight here was his first time flying (he was with his older brother until he got to NYC). It was also only the 2nd time he had been away from his mom (the first was when he and I went to Tangier for a week). It was hard. I won't lie. As UmmS said - adjustment can take years. At first he'll probably be amazed by everything then it will wear off and the homesickness will set in. Some handle it better than others. It will be an adjustment for you too. I think that's what I was least prepared for - the adjustments I had to go through!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-11-30 20:51:00
Middle East and North AfricaJust Curious...
IMO it's worth the longer wait and I wish we would have gone that way. For our K1 DH came in January and didn't have a green card/work permit until almost the beginning of December...long hard wait!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-12-08 08:24:00