ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
For those of you who had expressed interest in a study guide - I need a little help to know where you're at. Do you need/want basic information such as a) what is Islam, what are the major beliefs etc or something for in depth cool.gif how to study Islam, studying the qu'ran and it's meaning, incorporating sunnah and hadith?
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-06-16 10:22:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
I've found a couple more lectures/readings in this vein - I am going through them and working to put together something.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-06-02 12:22:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
I just listened to this Podcast and I thought I would share it. If you have some downtime it's pretty interesting.
http://www.meccaone.org/

Scroll down to Love and Marriage with Shaykh Yasar Birjas. Shaykh Yasar teaches with the Al Maghreb Institute and is sometimes called the "Love Doctor". I'd love to discuss this with anyone else who is interested and listens wink.gif.


MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-06-02 08:11:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
Turia - I'm sorry to hear about the trouble your facing in your journey. It's my opinion that it's best to have a lot of information from many sources to be able to come to your own conclusions. My husband is of the school of "this is what you're taught this is what you believe". Sure we butt heads but that's life. I would hope he would be more supportive of your path, wherever it takes you. I'm sure that his intention is only that you not be exposed to negative things that he feels are counter to the teachings but I think that you are intelligent enough to do your own searching.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-06-01 14:15:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
To be quite honest I've never gotten much out of haliqas - most of the time the ones I've been to aren't in English and are so abstract I haven't been able to get anything out of it. Also not many were relevant in my life. 98% of the community here is foreign and very traditional, a new"er" American convert truly doesn't have that much in common from a spiritual perspective.

UmmSqueakster - I did have a workbook for a study that I used when I was like a sophomore in High school - it was great. But I don't remember the name of it just a basic layout. I'm going to Halalco tonight to scour the books and see if I can find something that catches my eye. I know that Zaytuna has some lectures that are based verse by verse- I was thinking of using those since I relate to that style a lot more than other lectures. I'll keep you all updated - maybe I will start a side group for sharing and posting the study as it goes if anyone is interested.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-06-01 13:38:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
Well there is some interest! I'm going to start on this project...anything imparticular that sticks out to you ladies? I'm trying to narrow down how to start approaching this!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-06-01 13:09:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
Hey ladies,

So lately I've been thinking a lot about this book/devotional/study guide that I would love to find but haven't found. I've come to the conclusion that it doesn't exist. Now I'm not an expert on Islam and I'm sure that there are ladies out there who know a lot more than me but I am considering putting together a study guide. Something that would focus on topics or questions and then provide some scripture, hadith etc to reflect on and discuss. I can remember having multiple guides like this when I was doing Bible study but it just doesn't seem to exist for Islam. I have a few ideas i've tossed around - does this sound like something anyone else would look for? What types of issues/questions would you be interested in exploring more? I'm trying to decide if it is something valuable/do-able and if anyone would be interested. I may just end up doing it for myself but just thought I'd put it out there.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-06-01 10:51:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
The wig thing confuses me, granted it's not your hair, but it's still hair....I dunno to each their own I guess!!!

UmmSqueakster - I've seen the tafsir before and while helpful and part of what I'm looking for it's not totally. I really don't think that anything exists for what I'm looking for - I'm thinking of putting it together myself!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-02-19 09:08:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
I have a question I'm hoping someone can answer. I'm looking for a Qu'ran study guide. Not a memorization type of thing, something like a bible study guide. I've looked for a long time but haven't found what I've wanted. I want something that has scripture, context even stories that would go along with it. I've found some basic stuff for kids (small) but not very in depth. Anyone have any suggestions?
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-02-18 16:24:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan is just around the corner
Jenn- when we lived in DC I always bought msemmen, beghrir and chbekiya during Ramadan because it was so much easier when I was working+ commuting 10-12 hrs a day. Sadly there's 2 Moroccans in this town, my husband and a guy friend of his...looks like I'll be doing the cooking haha
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2011-07-05 22:27:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan is just around the corner
I'm doing a month-long special series of meal ideas and meal plans on my blog - both traditional Moroccan dishes and other foods. Come over and sign up for the newsletter! I'm also having giveaways and other deals from Halal friendly companies during the month! www.marocmama.com (the sign up is on the right sidebar!)
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2011-07-05 12:17:00
Middle East and North AfricaTo be with fiancee on interview day, will it help at all?
Oooooh so you're a male petitioner...in that case I wouldn't bother --- I've never heard of a female being denied...
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2011-07-07 22:17:00
Middle East and North AfricaTo be with fiancee on interview day, will it help at all?
I was outside in the cafe across the street - though this was about 6 years ago. He even went in with my passport - they asked how many times we'd been together and he handed them my passport and said 4 times and she's outside right now. We had a very unusual turn around and were given the visa the very next day. I don't know if it helped. I suppose if you're financially able to be there, I would go - won't hurt!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2011-07-05 12:19:00
Middle East and North AfricaWhat is accepted as proof of marriage by Morooco?
We've taken our translated American marriage certificate as proof and had no problems. We've also rented an apartment and marriage information was never asked for. That may have been because we were traveling with kids and they just assumed we were married without the documents.

We've taken our translated American marriage certificate as proof and had no problems. We've also rented an apartment and marriage information was never asked for. That may have been because we were traveling with kids and they just assumed we were married without the documents.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2011-07-23 11:28:00
Middle East and North AfricaWhat do you think of this situation?Hi
Wow messy situation. What does the sister think of all this? I guess my first instinct is run fast. It sounds really sketchy. How did he meet the sister in the first place? While she has a tourist visa I don't know if she would have to go and come back because once they would file for adjustment of status she would (i believe) go into a limbo state, sort of like a K1 after marriage and paperwork for adjustment. That being said - it would be a really rough road and I worry about the sister in this situation.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2011-07-23 11:34:00
Middle East and North AfricaMoroccan MENA members!!!
Name: Amera
Where you're from: originally WI, now living in Northern VA
SO's name: Youssef
Where he's from in Morocco: Marrakech
How long he's been here: 3.5 years
Anything else to add: We have 2 boys under 5 years old and will be celebrating 3 years of marriage tomorrow!

Have you been to Morocco? Yes, 5 times now. The first time on vacation with my family where I randomly met my husband walking down the street. I knew from the first time I looked at him he would be my husband (seriously I swear). 3 more times while he was waiting for his visa. We went back together after our youngest son was born to do a wedding party/aqeeqa for him.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-04-21 09:57:00
Middle East and North AfricaBest way to travel to see family overseas
My husband traveled home every year since he came to the US (once he had his Green card). You are free to fly through Europe without a visa you just can't leave the airport. This depends on the country however. When he went through England and had an overnight stay they gave him a 24 hr stamp in the airport to leave he wanted. Spain would not do this. We never tried in France. But if you're just connecting through Europe it's no problem.

You may want to look at Royal Air Maroc from JFK - Casa. In mid-late September they have fares at $880 roundtrip. It might be cheaper to do one ticket from where you are to JFK and then the RAM flight.

My husband traveled home every year since he came to the US (once he had his Green card). You are free to fly through Europe without a visa you just can't leave the airport. This depends on the country however. When he went through England and had an overnight stay they gave him a 24 hr stamp in the airport to leave he wanted. Spain would not do this. We never tried in France. But if you're just connecting through Europe it's no problem.

You may want to look at Royal Air Maroc from JFK - Casa. In mid-late September they have fares at $880 roundtrip. It might be cheaper to do one ticket from where you are to JFK and then the RAM flight.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2011-08-10 23:08:00
Middle East and North AfricaMorocco - K1 visa denied - Now what? Help!
I'd say that might be an issue...but I'm not the CO. Thank God because everyone here would be cussing me out! To the OP, find out exactly what the letter says and then move forward. I think there might be something to the fact his brother is already here or something else in his background you might not even know about. I do want to add CO's don't just deny for the he** of it - they have their reasons. You might not like them but they do have them. I only wish they would share more details with those denied so that they understood what was going on.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2011-07-05 22:25:00
Middle East and North AfricaHow can I move up my interview date?
It's pretty much impossible to move up the date of your interview. They give you an interview based on the earliest date they have available. If they had something sooner open they would have given you that.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2011-08-31 23:13:00
Middle East and North AfricaRegistering a US marriage in Morocco
I'm also interested in how you managed that. We had a civil and religious ceremony. Can't get it registered - been trying for 2 years.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-09-25 07:19:00
Middle East and North Africadeclaring marriage to the moroccan consulate.
Call the Consulate in Washington DC - > (202) 457-0012 or 202.462.7979 and ask them about registration for new immigrants. Youssef did register and get his consular card, also his new CIN, and our marriage registered. We are now working on getting Khalil's birth registered.

You can not renew your passport, update your CIN, register your wedding or birth of child before registering with the embassy/consulate.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-04-24 09:31:00
Middle East and North Africadeclaring marriage to the moroccan consulate.
Yes mine was the same way until the end - now he's just as frustrated as I am! Also if you don't get the marriage registered before you have a child it gets even more messy. sad.gif

Edited by MrsAmera, 03 March 2009 - 03:52 PM.

MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-03-03 15:51:00
Middle East and North Africadeclaring marriage to the moroccan consulate.
I have but that is at the embassy/consulate here in the DC. Maybe try calling them and let them know you have been unable to get any response from NYC in x number of months. You may just want to go there to the actual office - I've had the best luck that way.

Edited by MrsAmera, 03 March 2009 - 01:01 PM.

MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-03-03 13:00:00
Middle East and North AfricaMorocco flights! Please help!
I refuse to fly Royal Air Maroc because of their god awful service. I've booked tickets to Morocco 10+ times through just about every city in Europe. My favorite airline to fly is British Air, though Luftansa is not bad either. Air France/Delta has the most flight options going into Morocco. Iberia tends to have the cheapest fares but often requires an overnight in Madrid. I always buy online - etickets. I use orbitz.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2011-08-31 23:11:00
Middle East and North Africaa marriage with a muslim
I hope you know what you're getting yourself into honey!!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2011-09-22 21:16:00
Middle East and North Africaa marriage with a muslim
I would say before you marry this man you should understand the religion a little bit. Sunni or Shiite is a very minor thing and should be easy enough for him to share. I don't know why it would be secret... It sounds like he's using his religion already to tell you how things "must" be done. (I'm Muslim by the way) An Islamic marriage has nothing to do with USCIS. Many mosques won't preform a religious marriage without a civil marriage and some will do the marriage certificate portion.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2011-09-21 21:21:00
Middle East and North Africadenied at casablanca
I've been following this thread for awhile and there must be something that is causing this. As was mentioned a lot of times consulars have access to more information than you do. I would suggest combing through your case and seeing where any inconsistencies may be. I would also make sure to ask your husband a lot of tough questions. While you have been to visit multiple times there may still be things going on that you don't know about. There also may not be. However consulars don't deny twice for no reason. They do know something is up. Maybe it was something in his past? If you at least know what it is you can move forward and fight it.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2011-09-04 10:29:00
Middle East and North Africadenied at casablanca
Samoray - because there is massive amounts of fraud that come out of Casablanca. --- Tany, did they give a reason for the denial?
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2011-03-28 15:36:00
Middle East and North AfricaAdvice in buying Caftan In Moroco
The train from Casablanca to Marrakech will cost about $20-25 - don't bother paying for first class - it's pretty much all the same. In Marrakech you can shop in the medina it's your basic wares - stay away from the outer edges they will charge you much more. You can also go to Gueleiz if you want some nicer quality things. There are a lot of boutiques selling really nice items. If I were buying nice gifts - I'd go there. I can't tell you much about Casa because I'm not too familiar - but Marrakech - anything you want to know let me know!!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2011-06-14 14:13:00
Middle East and North AfricaHotel near the U.S. Consulate in Casablanca, Morocco
There's a Hyatt up the road a bit but it's pricey. If you're not married yet - you won't be able to stay in a Moroccan hotel without getting 2 rooms. American hotels usually don't care.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2011-07-05 12:21:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe little things your husband/wife does
We have our ins and outs but:

- He washes all the laundry. He usually has his days off during the week and always washes and dries the clothes (I fold) because the machines are 3 stories down and there's no elevator.

- When he's home he picks up around the house no questions asked and loads the dishwasher

- He'll cook when he knows I'm too tired

- He used to get mad when I would fall asleep at 8pm but now he let's me sleep, and takes me upstairs when he's going ot bed.

- Twice a week, I have study nights so I go to the library after work until 9:30pm. He bathes, feeds and puts the baby to bed and makes dinner, always waiting to eat until I get home.

- He puts up with and is cordial with my best friend even though he doesn't really like her (at all)!

- He makes sure when we're in Morocco I have everything I need and tries to make sure that every trip has something special involved for me to see or experience. His mom and sisters also take care of me more than normal when we're there.

There's more but that's some of the things!
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2008-03-26 15:02:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA Baby Names
Jenn - I think you'll be ok with Adam - Mikhail's name got through! There is some rules about having an Arabic name for children and names like Sarah and Adam which are considered anglicized (i guess) were not always being accepted. However with one foreign parent I think they are much more lenient.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-10-30 15:13:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA Baby Names
Ohh no one said my favorite yet! First my boys: Mikhail Alexander (spelled Mik'aeel in the ME and Khalil Ibrahim - my MIL chose - however I also liked:

Boys:
Laith
Tahir
Tariq

Girls:

Kenza Jolie- this was going to be Khalil's name if he was a girl (my mom's nameis Julie) (if inshallah we have a girl one day but probably not this IS her name!)
Amera
Arrabella (not Arabic but always wanted that name)
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2009-10-28 21:22:00
Middle East and North Africamaiden name in passport
If you have legally changed your last name, that is what should be listed on the passport. You could run into problems with immigration folks - especially now that they have made a lot of changes to laws regarding names on airline tickets. If you wanted to be 100% safe - get an expedited new passport. Otherwise go with one of the other suggestions, of carrying a marriage cert, etc.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2011-01-08 11:51:00
Middle East and North AfricaSultan's Kitchen
Nope that steamer doesn't have a lid. My couscous steamer from Morocco doesn't have a lid either. I think if it did have a lid the couscous would end up a lot more wet than it's supposed to be.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2010-11-08 07:41:00
Middle East and North AfricaSultan's Kitchen
Ever since discovering clay couscous steamers I've decided to get this one;
http://www.claycoyot.../product_id/42/

Can't wait to try it! I think it will have less sticking (an issue with metal steamers). Will let you know how it turns out!

I'm sure this has been discussed ad nauseum in the past, but I wasn't a part of the convo. I'll also try to do a search, but has anyone found a good couscous steamer? Preferrably one that does well with the couscous that is already formed? (i.e. - I'm not making the couscous myself by hand but buying it from the store, if that makes sense).
Thanks


MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2010-11-06 07:06:00
Middle East and North AfricaSultan's Kitchen
Theresa when my husband came he didn't like most American food that I made either- that's why I had to learn how to cook Moroccan food. The longer that he has been here the more open minded he has gotten about trying things though he still loves Moroccan food the best. Check out Henia's blog and
my blog for some recipes your husband might be more familiar with.

Edited by MrsAmera, 11 July 2010 - 09:53 AM.

MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2010-07-11 09:52:00
Middle East and North AfricaSultan's Kitchen
Cassandra -

Moroccan bread is pretty easy to make because you don't have to leave it to rise very long (if at all). If you have a stand mixer it's even easier.

As for going organic - i'm not sure what you're shopping habits are now or how much you generally spend, or how you cook/eat. BUT that being said I feed a family of 4 for less than $100 a week on 95% organic foods. We don't buy bread, I make it (sometimes we get it from Jimmy John's sandwich shop - their day old bread is $.40 a loaf!) I get a lot of my dry ingredients from a bulk food store. the rest of my shopping is mostly produce, breakfast cereals, dairy. If you want to talk more feel free to PM me or visit my blog http://marocmama.blogspot.com and send me an email from there.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2010-05-23 11:50:00
Middle East and North AfricaSultan's Kitchen
Kenza - do you mean md'founa? the small pieces of chicken covered with vermicelli?

Seffa Medfounda (Buried in Vermicelli)

----- For Preparing the Seffa -----
2 lbs. (about 1 kg) dry broken vermicelli or couscous
3 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup golden raisins, soaked in water for 20 minutes
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup powdered sugar, or to taste
----- For Cooking the Saffron Chicken or Meat -----
1 whole chicken, cut into pieces (or 2 lbs. - about 1 kg - cubed lamb or beef)
2 large sweet onions, chopped medium
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon white pepper
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 sticks of cinnamon
1 teaspoon saffron threads, crumbled
1 teaspoon turmeric
1½ to 2 teaspoons salt
4 tablespoons butter
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
----- For Decorating the Seffa ----- (optional)

½ to 1 cup almonds (blanched, fried and ground)
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Steam the Couscous or Broken Vermicelli (Chaariya)
Fill the base of a couscoussier with ample salted water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer, and proceed with steaming the couscous three times (add the raisins for the final steaming), or the broken vermicelli four to five times (add the raisins for the fourth steaming).
Cook the Saffron Chicken, Lamb or Beef
While you’re steaming the couscous or broken vermicelli, also prepare the meat.
Mix the chicken, lamb or beef with the onions, spices, butter, oil and cilantro in a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot. Gently brown the chicken or meat over medium heat for about 10 minutes.
If cooking chicken, don’t add water as the chicken will braise in its own juices. If preparing lamb or beef, add enough water to just cover the meat.
Cover the pot and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the meat is very tender. This will take about 1 hour for the chicken, but may take longer for the lamb or beef. Avoid scorching the meat, and add a small amount of water to the lamb or beef during the cooking if necessary.
When the chicken or meat has been cooked, reduce the liquids until a thick sauce has formed. Discard the cinnamon sticks, and taste for seasoning. If desired, remove the chicken from the bones.
To Serve Seffa Medfouna
Gently toss the steamed broken vermicelli or couscous with the butter and powdered sugar. Place about ? of this mixture on a very large serving dish.
Arrange the chicken or meat in the center, and cover with the sauce. Pile the rest of the couscous or vermicelli on top of the meat, using your hands to shape a dome.
Decorate the mound of seffa in a vertical pattern with the cinnamon, ground almonds and powdered sugar. Serve immediately, with small bowls of powdered sugar, ground almonds and cinnamon on the side.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2010-03-28 16:46:00
Middle East and North AfricaSultan's Kitchen
Yes!! We are doing one - I wish you lived a tiny bit closer then we could split one!!! (Although the one I'm looking to do has 2-3 drops in MSP and is affordable for a 1/2 share - and you can add on chicken or eggs if you like). Anyway, yea hubby was not one to be into it, cost, BUT I bought organic milk and some vegetables and oranges and he said "ahh this finally tastes like home". It was funny. He pretty much lets me go ahead when it comes to food stuff so as long as I'm careful with cost he's cool. Maybe go 1/2 organic first? That way you can ease in and not have a budget shocker. I think what finally won him over was taste. He could tell it was better.
MrsAmeraFemaleMorocco2010-03-02 15:32:00