Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (julianna @ Jun 27 2008, 11:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Alhamdulillah @ Jun 27 2008, 08:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It's not an "Arab" practice to name children "so and so, son of so and so".... It's in the bible in Hebrew and it's been done this way from the beginning of time (well I guess not Adam and Eve since they didn't have parents but I believe Adam is referred to as the son of God in the bible even). The idea of changing your name when you marry has everything to do with which man the woman "belongs to" and it's as if ownership transfers from one man to another. In Islam, however, it has nothing to do with ownership and everything to do with lineage. Of course, you are free to disagree as you like and this topic has been discussed to death on here over the years No one is ever going to agree on this board about anything that has to do with anything and I really don't know why we bother He's not referred to as son of anyone (ben), definately not son of G-d But yes, people are ben or bat (insert father's name here) in the Bible. That is the correct differentiation too for name changing. I have seen it pronounced haram or halal depending on who is speaking-- if it's said to be halal the usual logic I have seen is that because in places where a woman does change her name, no one is confused about her lineage-- we account for it. Yes he is. QUOTE Luke 3:38 Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-29 11:57:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (Virtual wife @ Jun 27 2008, 09:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yep, you're right, sis. We will agree to disagree. Sounds like a plan	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-27 22:05:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	It's not an "Arab" practice to name children "so and so, son of so and so".... It's in the bible in Hebrew and it's been done this way from the beginning of time (well I guess not Adam and Eve since they didn't have parents but I believe Adam is referred to as the son of God in the bible even). The idea of changing your name when you marry has everything to do with which man the woman "belongs to" and it's as if ownership transfers from one man to another. In Islam, however, it has nothing to do with ownership and everything to do with lineage. Of course, you are free to disagree as you like and this topic has been discussed to death on here over the years No one is ever going to agree on this board about anything that has to do with anything and I really don't know why we bother Edited by Alhamdulillah, 27 June 2008 - 09:36 PM.	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-27 21:35:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (sarahaziz @ Jun 26 2008, 06:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Jun 17 2008, 08:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I also have a question... I changed my last name to my husband's (we both agreed on this) and I have a friend that was very upset at my doing this...telling me it's not allowed in the Qu'ran. Yikes, I've already got my social security card back with my habibi's name now what should I do??? Is it really that bad?? Is it Haram? I couldn't find it on the "haram" list Are you serious? I never heard that its haraam!!! My husband has gotten really religious while we were separated so I mean I thought he knew alot about haraam/and whats allowed by now. he wanted me to take his last name though? Am I asking the same question here ?? here is something about it http://www.islamqa.c...ef/6241/surname	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-26 18:13:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (April and Mohamed @ Jun 26 2008, 02:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hey guys we got our NOA2 today and we got approved! My mom scanned it and e-mailed it to me. I'm SO excited right now! Mabrookalations!!!	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-26 15:20:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Jun 24 2008, 11:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Let me first tell you how hard it is to find 100% cotten hijabs...another question... I know we are only to show our hands and face but I see many muslimah in sandles???? Some ppl don't consider feet as part of what's to be covered. I wear sandals almost always but not flipflops (they rub in between my toes and bother me) and either wear thin trouser socks (knee high panty hose) with them if my abays doesn't cover my feet or I don't if my abaya covers my feet.	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-26 13:22:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (Rajaa_Reda @ Jun 24 2008, 10:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Alrighty ladies and gentlemen... I've been out for a while (working like a crazy person) but I am back... and I see no talk so I have a question now that summer is upon us.. well somedays (remember I live in Seattle)... For those in layers..... how do you stay cool??? I just bought two new overhead abayas two weeks ago, both are polyester but one is a little thicker than the other and both are very cool mashallah.	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-26 13:17:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (April and Mohamed @ Jun 16 2008, 07:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (sarahaziz @ Jun 16 2008, 10:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Jealous girls are worse though!! Usually of shaytan. This girl from my university saw my husband and always looks at him when we walk by hand in hand in downtown next to school and he didn't know she liked him. Today she asked me who he was and how long we been together and I said "we been together for couple of days now" and she says ohh ok I was just making sure cause I remember dancing with him at my party 2 months ago! But don't tell him bc I was drunk and might have done something. Wow I didn't know he could come and go thru USA and Algeria like that I told my spouse he was so angry and asked what she looked like so he could slap her and talk to her parents. Yeah as much as I'd like that it doesn't work like that here. Daaaaaang that's triflin...and many other adjectives. That's funny you guys hold hands, my husband and I never touch each other in front of people over here, and I think he'll still be like that in the States even if he sees people all up on each other, because that's just the way he is. I had to warn him about my family members so that they don't catch him off guard lol. His family is very *shy*. If I knew a girl liked my husband, I'd keep HIM locked up in the house and make him wear hijab! Because like I said, chicks can be triflin...and don't forget that there's nothing that a shaytan loves more than to cause problems between a husband and wife, so let's keep our wits about us. LOL If I try to let go of my hubby's hand when we're out he'll freak out On our honeymoon in Cairo, I had to tell him to stop pulling me because he's a lot taller than me and walks faster than me.... I found myself almost being dragged down the street until I got a backbone and told him "Look man! You're pulling me!!! I'm gonna fall!! Either let go or slooooooooooooow down " He was like why didn't u just tell me? So now he walks slowly so I can keep up and he doesn't have to release the hand. But we don't kiss or anything like that in public ewww lol As far as women... YES women can be beyond trifling, especially the hoe doggies around here. They don't care if a man's married or anything. It's like a freaking challenge for them!	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-16 19:01:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (sarahaziz @ Jun 16 2008, 04:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> umm i think in my culture there's no diff in jealousy and protective. women and men both are equally jealous and protective over their spouses like younger couples vs the older couples who have obtained a stable relationship. When guys try to talk to me here in USA I'm like I'm married and they said so?? You can't be my friend? I'm like no we don't do things like that after marriage - rarely before marriage. And they're like oh you're in an abusive relationship does he beat you? etc.. I can't stand stupid people like that. I guess being faithful/clean to each other is abusive or "wayyy protective and controling" here. Yes, jealousy is strongly discouraged here.... after all, if spouses are jealous over each other then the other ppl who are trying to kill that jealousy have no chance of sleeping with either of them And that really is all the culture is here... who can do who and how often	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-16 15:36:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (Rajaa @ Jun 15 2008, 08:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> lol... yeah gheerah??? tell me more what that means? Mine likes it when I say things he hasn't taught me to him... It's basically jealousy but not the bad kind. Here's an article about it if you want to look at it. http://almuttaqoon.c...p?showtopic=467	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-15 19:54:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (Rajaa @ Jun 15 2008, 02:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> So since it appears it's only ladies here..... gotta question for you and if there are any brothers please chime in. What is the difference between being "protective" and "Jelouse?" is there a difference? if so how can one tell..... Well I think there is a good jealousy and a bad jealousy. I like that my hubby is jealous in that he doesn't want other men looking at me or talking to me lol but I hated that my ex was jealous to the point that I couldn't even go to work without him accusing me *daily* of sleeping with every man in the company I also think it's cute that my hubby likes to escort me every where as if I'm in constant danger	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-15 14:25:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (April and Mohamed @ Jun 12 2008, 02:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> he looked at me as if I said that we normally plant C4 bombs in friends' restrooms! LOL That's too funny! I didn't know that about not going at someone elses house! I'll have to ask my hubby about that now!!! I wouldn't want to embarass myself in the future	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-12 13:49:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (Henia @ Jun 12 2008, 11:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> wait in the room until the males guests left. I did not like this much. Wa alaikum salaam, Me either but at the same time I don't want to tell him he can't have guests over. I can move around the house when his friends are there but I just have to get dressed and who wants to do that just to run to the kitchen? I've had my friends over before though and he has done the same thing.... stayed in the bedroom watching tv until they left. Edited by Alhamdulillah, 12 June 2008 - 10:58 AM.	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-12 10:58:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	At the beginning of this clip she gives us a tour of her Saudi house	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-12 10:40:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (April and Mohamed @ Jun 12 2008, 06:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (palilover @ Jun 11 2008, 09:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> In Palestine (at least my husban'ds house) the men and women can all have guets over. the houses are so big there that teh men take up one side and women stay in kitchen. Sometimes they go into the tv room to watch tv but thats it. But I only like staying in the kitchen when they are making food:) lol Yeah, I forgot to mention that when it's the immediate family, we do all eat together, like my husband's brother and uncles and cousins, there's no problem there, we all eat at the same table even. Which is good because I love talking to his uncles and brother. Some families I know don't even "mix" company even when it's the immediate family members! My husband's family is traditional and conservative but not in the extreme, not to a point of overkill alhamdulillah, and the guys always have different topics of conversation so I like to mix it up a bit now and then. My brother-in-law is coming out in 3 weeks insha'Allah! I'll be busy in the kitchen in the hopes of giving my MIL more time to spend with him and his wife and their two kids. We're thinking of hiring a maid for two weeks to help out because we're going to have 6 house guests all at once for two weeks and it's just going to be a circus! I love the chaos though, it makes me feel alive. In Libya the houses are set up so that the men who visit don't need to have access to the main house to visit with the men there. They come in and there's a big room they stay in. They have a bathroom and everything and then at the end of the hallway there is a door that leads into the main house where the women are. So basically the men have a room and the women have the whole rest of the house I've been trying to set up something similar to this design at my own house but it presents a problem since the bathroom is in the back of the house, so no matter what, if someone has to use it, they have to come thru the rest of the house. When we have guests I usually take the women in the kitchen and we leave the men in the living room alone. I put up a sheet in the door way that separates the two rooms (I don't know why there isn't a door there ) and if my husband has guests and I don't, I just stay in my room until they leave. What do you other women do with your houses? How do you set this separation design in your home here in the states?	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-12 10:29:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (palilover @ Jun 10 2008, 09:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I get rates for .20 a minute if I pay verizon $3/month. WOW that's awesome!!!	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-10 20:37:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (sarahaziz @ Jun 7 2008, 05:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I personally don't give out money because some people are poor because they've spent it on drugs or sharab. Are they going to eat the money or something?! There are the ones who are in desperate need. I just give out food and offer water in a pot to wash their hands. Same here.... I usually ask them what they want from McD's if they ask me for money... if they place their order I'll run down to the store and get them something to eat but I've actually been told on more than one occassion that they don't want me to buy them anything, they just want the money. Since I'm pretty sure they just want it to buy cigs or beer, I don't give out money. If they were truly hungry, they'd tell me to get them a cheeseburger or something! As far as zakat, my husband pays that on our behalf every year.... whatever sadaqa I give other than that I don't tell him about unless it's from his money, and then I ask him first.	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-07 17:27:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (palilover @ Jun 7 2008, 01:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Alhamdulillah @ Jun 7 2008, 01:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (estadia @ Jun 7 2008, 12:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ahaha lol i know one of my brothers used to always say before he got married that he would have two or three wifes ask him now and he will tell u if u can keep one wife happy ur a lucky man needless to say one wife is all he gets lol ahahaha My son is 10 (almost 11) and he always says he's gonn have 4 wives with 2 or 3 kids from each wife when he grows up I told him he better strike it rich first wow these kids start the urge young! thanks for the warning, lol You know, the funny thing is, he's not even INTO girls yet He still thinkgs they're weird and boring LOL	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-07 12:29:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (estadia @ Jun 7 2008, 12:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ahaha lol i know one of my brothers used to always say before he got married that he would have two or three wifes ask him now and he will tell u if u can keep one wife happy ur a lucky man needless to say one wife is all he gets lol ahahaha My son is 10 (almost 11) and he always says he's gonn have 4 wives with 2 or 3 kids from each wife when he grows up I told him he better strike it rich first	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-07 12:25:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (palilover @ Jun 7 2008, 08:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> "wonders what main topics brothers babble on about" How to have four wives	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-07 09:51:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (Virtual wife @ Jun 7 2008, 12:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm fascinated by how often any conversation about Islam or being Muslim turns into a discussion about hijab for women, especially among converts. Most Muslim women don't cover, but on message boards, you would think it's what Islam is all about for Muslimas. Strange. I didn't read any comments stating that you couldn't be muslim if you don't wear hijab but it is a fact of life that for many muslims (not just the reverts) that covering is a major part of the religion so one can only expect that it will be discussed from time to time	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-07 01:41:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (amal @ Jun 6 2008, 06:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I can't go for the skirt thing... I HAVE to wear pants coz I can't stand being hot and having my legs touch..it gets too hot! I could wear shorts under that but then thats so many layers that I'd die of heat exhaustion...but I do think I'm going to try the scarf first and work my way up... I asked my co workers if they'd laugh at me if I wore scarfs and they said they wouldn't....hmmm now I just have to "wo-man" up and do it! I hate that feeling too.... I'll tell you my secret in private	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-06 18:06:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (amal @ Jun 6 2008, 01:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> that is what I think too about just jumping in and doing it..I'm just a worry wort and it hinders me big time. I might try just a basic scarf for a while and see how that feels..and work my way to full cover..I'm not sure. At first, I started covering my hair (barely lol) with a small hankerchief. Then I kind of started just wrapping my hair up in something. After I felt more comfortable I started wearing a regular hijab with pants and long sleeves..... then later exchanged the pants for skirts and now I'll usually wear an abaya over it but you'll still see me in a long skirt with no abaya from time to time. The experience is different for everyone mashallah but for me I felt like I was slowly giving other ppl time to adjust to my changes..... You have to know though that dressing modestly was a HUGE change for me LOL	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-06 16:15:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (estadia @ Jun 6 2008, 12:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> we have fought this school so many times in the last few years..........so we kind of go along with what they dig their feet in.........but this coming year we are preparing to do battle with the school system over hijab and a few other things.......pray for us we are going to need it.......i went with my youngest sister yesterday on a field trip.....the kids accepted my hijab well but i can honestly say that the mothers of the children that went to chaperon as well started pulling kids out of the group i was chaperoning to be with them they didnt talk much to me so in the end it was just me and my little sister......we had a ball but the her teacher came up and apologized to us over the behavior of the other women it is not easy being Muslim but it is worth all of what we go thru Ppl here are usually nice to me, for the most part but there are times when other parents act like they don't really want to talk to me or be around me.... that's OK though because, most likely, I don't want to talk to them or be around them either	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-06 11:46:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (estadia @ Jun 6 2008, 12:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ur sooo sooo lucky my smaller sisters are not allowed to cover their hair at school because the school says there is a no hat policy so they can not break that rule even for them so they have gotten permission to wear a shawl to cover their other parts we live in a very small town 600 people and we are the only muslim family here.........we even had to fight the school over not giving another type of food when they are serving pork for lunch or breakfast.........also had to battle the lunch assistant over them telling the girls and my brother that bacon bits are ok to eat cuz they are not real bacon......one day my mom got a call from the school that her children were refusing to eat lunch at the middle school and the grade school and only sitting their while everyone was eating so she went to the schools to see what the problem was and told them well ur trying to feed them pizza with sausage they can not eat it and would rather go with out food than put something in their body that is forbidden..........now they offer a second selection to my smaller sisters and brother when they will be serving pork.......... Our school has a no hat rule as well but the constitution of the USA that forbids any establishment from infringing on the religious rights of its citizens tops any school rule QUOTE "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." It really depends on how old the girls are whether I would want to make a big deal out of it. If they're in grade school / elementary, I personally wouldn't make a big deal out of it because they aren't really required to wear it before puberty but if her school has an issue with it in the future then I'd take it to the school board. I take my kids out of school early every Friday as well because of the Jumua'ah and I had to send a note explaining and talk to someone from the school board about that and they didn't give me a problem after I explained that I'll worry about their opinions on Friday when they start making the Jewish and Christian children come to school on Saturdays and Sundays They also offered to to give the children private time together to pray during the day and excuse them from any activities that I notified them as being forbidden in our religion. Neither one of my kids has to take music class or dance (if there's music) or anything like that and in art class they are never required to draw, paint or sculpt the image of a living creature. My son also was exempted from sex ed this year and we did a health unit on our own to replace the grade. I can't afford private school so I've had to learn how to manuever the system They also offer vegetarian lunches daily at all the schools in the area but my kids take lunch from home. Of course, we moved from the country to the city last year and there are a lot of muslims in this area so they're pretty used to it.	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-06 11:34:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	My daughter is 7 and she wears hijab to school Last year she wanted to wear it so I let her but then the kids started teasing her and telling her she looked like an old lady so I made her stop. Then this year she asked again before school started and I told her no but she kept insisting and insisting so I finally gave in. She wore it the whole year mashallah and no one bothered her about it other than asking why she wears it (and asking her brother why he doesn't ) We went to the zoo a few weeks ago and it was really hot so I told her to take it off. The hijab itself doesn't make her hot but her hair is wild and tries to escape from the hijab!! It comes out from every side and gets in her eyes and it's hard to push it back when it does that so I didn't want her wearing it outside when she'd be sweating and everything. All her teachers and kids were like "OMG she's so pretty!" and going on and on about it LOL one teacher actually said "Oh we've never seen her hair before" I was like yeah right because it comes out the sides and back and half the time is falling off anyway QUOTE (amal @ Jun 6 2008, 12:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I really don't have much of a support system here. There are muslimas everywhere but I don't have any personal friends here *yet*. I feel that maybe if I had some close friends we hung out with a lot..maybe it would help me feel more comfortable coz I really badly want to wear it but just can't quite get there yet Thanks both of u for ur honest answers. They are very much appreciated! amal I'll be there soon inshallah	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-06 11:07:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (amal @ Jun 6 2008, 11:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> thx.. it isn't just what others think of me.. honestly, when I've put it on..I not only feel embarassed but like I'm not being myself (if that makes sense). It just doesn't "feel" right and I almost feel silly. I am trying to figure out how to NOT feel that way. You just get used to it to tell the truth. I used to feel the same way when I started covering and now I can't imagine going out with it. It becomes a part of u and u get comfortable with it over time.	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-06 10:53:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (ZeeNusah @ Jun 6 2008, 09:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Rajaa @ Jun 6 2008, 12:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Here's a question hijabbies how many do you have??? just wondering what the "norm" is. . lol me??? last count (don't tell my husband) @40 Too many to count. My parents live in Saudi and every time I see my parents my mom brings like 10 or so for me. I would put my number at about 40-50, some which have yet to see the light of day OMG u ladies are making me feel like a hijab monster I feel like the Carrie (sex in the city) of the muslimaat all of a sudden! (her shoe obsession) I have three of those plastic three-draw towers (14X12X20) filled full of hijabs and some others that are just too big or thick to fit in there. And I still buy new ones when I have the money I don't wear them all.... I should give some away	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-06 10:51:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (Rajaa @ Jun 5 2008, 08:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ok... here's something for any hijab wearers... have you noticed people are obsessed with talking about your hair??? I started a new job and all they can do is say things.. ask questions I know they're curious but is it just me... geeez it's just hair for goodness sake! LOL Ok, I'm used to getting grown folks walking up to me all the time asking "are you not hot in that"... one night in October a girl asked me that at the gas station and I was like..... hmmmm it's like 40 degrees outside! LOL Some friends of mine will actually tell ppl who ask them that "Hell is hotter!!!" LOL but I have always thought that sounds harsh to non muslims and doesn't make for very nice dawah so I usually explain to the "grown ups" that it's really not as hot as it may seem to them because I have shade everywhere I go and the sun isn't roasting my skin Anyhoo.... on to my hair... yes the girls at work used to ask me all the time... what color is it? why do u color it? (ummm bcoz i gotz a hubby to look good for???) how long is it? Oh I bet it's so long! and in the event they catch me in the bathroom adjusting it "Oh so THAT'S what u look like!!!" like my hair is the ONLY part of me The cutest thing ever though was when I was substitute teaching a first grade class and the children were trying to figure out why I wear the scarf. They're really too young to get into about religion so I would just tell them I'm cold. Well in this one class these children were just obsessed with getting me out of my hijab! They kept telling me... Ms. Layla, it's not cold anymore, you can go ahead and take that thing off! Finally, after I resisted for a while, one little girl got angry at her classmates and blurted out "Why don't ya'll hush! Don't you know she don't got no hair????!" I should have just left it at that but just as quickly as she finished I shouted "Yes I do!" LOL they spent the last part of the class peaking under it	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-06-05 20:06:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (Rajaa @ May 28 2008, 01:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yeah so since you mentioned it.... I only changed my last name on my social security card and haven't changed my first name to my Islamic/Arabic name. Is it bad that I am called my "American" name at work and my Islamic name everywhere else... I mean I wear the hijab everywhere but ..... now I feel so torn. My mother named me after my late grandfather, he died the same day I was born however his son/my father has disowned me since my conversion.. I love my Islamic name (Rajaa) meaning hope... any thoughts?? The only reason I changed my name when I converted is because my given name meant "god like" or "like god" and, well, that's self explanatory I think. Up until I changed it legally this year, I was known by my legal name everywhere except the masjid until I had it changed on my SS card and then I changed it at work but a lot of ppl kept calling by my old name until I was laid off. My family still calls me by my old name, of course but everyone else now knows me by my new name. I don't call it my "Islamic" name because I don't think it has any significance in Islam but I thought it was pretty and it has a little history for me. There isn't any rule in Islam that you have to change your name when you convert unless your name means something bad or against the religion. I kept my dad's last name and didn't change it to my husband's which I'm really glad I did now.	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-05-28 00:58:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (April and Mohamed @ May 27 2008, 08:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Alhamdulillah @ May 27 2008, 11:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (April and Mohamed @ May 27 2008, 05:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yeah, that's the same exact thing I heard from other sisters who took the pic with hijab. Also, I had legally changed my name on my SS card but not for my passport and I went to Quebec and they didn't sweat me at all, but if you're not going anywhere then you won't have a problem changing it, but it takes a while these days I've heard! If you just changed your last name for marriage it may be different but I changed my entire name (except my surname) so they'd probably give me a little harder time. Oh ok. Well that's different. Hey btw I just watched the whole movie "Arranged" and it's great! I totally recommend it, thanks to whoever mentioned it, sorry I forgot and don't want to go back looking through the posts, but it was a wonderful movie! I'm gonna watch it with my mom when I go back so she can see how cool both traditions are and how similar! (I've always been educating her on other religions...I like to quiz her on the names of the houses of worship for each major religion) LOL, I changed my legal name to the name I chose for myself after converting to Islam. Yes, arranged is a wonderful movie. I wasn't the one who originally mentioned it but I love that movie. I want it on my Zen!	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-05-27 21:53:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (April and Mohamed @ May 27 2008, 05:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yeah, that's the same exact thing I heard from other sisters who took the pic with hijab. Also, I had legally changed my name on my SS card but not for my passport and I went to Quebec and they didn't sweat me at all, but if you're not going anywhere then you won't have a problem changing it, but it takes a while these days I've heard! If you just changed your last name for marriage it may be different but I changed my entire name (except my surname) so they'd probably give me a little harder time.	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-05-27 18:29:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (Rajaa @ May 27 2008, 01:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Question!!! Going in to change my name to my married name for my passport... but my pic should it be in hijab since that is what I wear and will they let me??? They have to let you. I didn't know my rights when I got mine and they made me sign a paper stating I wore a scarf for religious reasons and then still made me take the big scarf off and only allowed me to leave the underscarf, exposing my neck/ears/etc exposed. I found out later that they CAN'T make you do that and have had no problems getting my other ID with my hijab on without moving it back by telling the ppl when they asked me to that I have the right to religious freedom and they can't force me to remove it.... they just make you sign the paper after that. I have to have my name changed on my passport because I had my legal name changed this year and now my passport doesn't match but I doubt I'll be going anywhere outside of the US anytime soon anyway, unless some rich person out there wants to sponsor me for a much needed vacation Anyway, when I do I'll have to submit a new photo and I'm going to make sure they know I know my rights this time	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-05-27 14:40:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (Nagishkaw @ May 26 2008, 10:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I also wonder if you are aware of the fact that there are Israeli's and Jews who are reading this? How do you think they feel? VJ is a diverse community and members are free to read and post. This isnt some exclusive thread for Muslims Only when you, the OP stated in your title... ' or anyone interested ' . Just my .02 shekels worth. I don't think it's any big secret that there is some conflict between Palestinians and Isrealis or Arabs/Zionists (not necessarily jews).	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-05-26 22:23:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (charlesandnessa @ May 26 2008, 06:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (S and S @ May 26 2008, 04:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> April, i understand what you are trying to say even if others don't. Your wording wasn't perfect, but I see where you were trying to go with your points. so can i...... Arabs are semites as well....	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-05-26 22:14:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (palilover @ May 25 2008, 06:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Arranged An awesome film!! I've watched it online but would love if anyone knows where I can download it to my zen!	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-05-25 21:10:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (palilover @ May 25 2008, 10:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Alhamdulillah @ May 23 2008, 11:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It's really a ####### shoot with immigration... my husband was a muslim man, coming from a country that, until last year was on the USA's list of terrorist countries, with a name that's the Arabic equivilant of "John Smith" and was only in AR/AP/name checks for 30 days before getting his visa after his interview..... then he got his GC in no time once he was here without having to go in for an interview. I suspect we'll have to go for an interview when he applies to remove the conditions though. yeah but in your case, I wonder how many Libyans are trying to get to USA though even now? So maybe that is why AP did not take so long. but in all ways, you are right, it's all a ####### shoot and no one knows what will happen..... Well Libyans have to go through Tunisia so they have two countries to deal with but, you're right, there aren't a lot of ppl from Libya trying to come to the US right now.	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-05-25 21:07:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	QUOTE (Rajaa @ May 24 2008, 09:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Here's something.... Has anyone that wears a scarf been asked "where you're from" and when you tell them a state in the U.S. they just don't understand? I had a man at the gas station ask me where I was from I told him Seattle washington... he said "no...WHERE ARE YOU FROM?" raising his voice so in case my fluent english wasn't good enough for me to understand him... I again replied (but louder of corse) SEATTLE WASHINGTON... finally exhasperatied he said "but you wear a scarf on your head" i said "yes i am muslim" he couldn't understand at all. Now I wish I could say this has been my only experice with disbelief that an american blue eyed girl is muslim but it's not. Has anyone else encountered this or is it purly a northwest thing?? Yes, after I answer "I'm American" they always follow up with "Right, but where are you originally from?" One lady asked me what language I speak.... "English" I answered so she said "Of course but what is your language?" I have a southern accent.... I don't know where she got that I'd be speaking a different language other than because of the overhead abaya I was wearing LOL	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-05-24 18:30:00
Middle East and North Africa	Muslims	It's really a ####### shoot with immigration... my husband was a muslim man, coming from a country that, until last year was on the USA's list of terrorist countries, with a name that's the Arabic equivilant of "John Smith" and was only in AR/AP/name checks for 30 days before getting his visa after his interview..... then he got his GC in no time once he was here without having to go in for an interview. I suspect we'll have to go for an interview when he applies to remove the conditions though.	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2008-05-23 22:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	USC moving during K-1 process	Ok thanks for the replies! I think I'll go ahead and change it if I move.	Alhamdulillah	Female	Libya	2006-08-22 07:37:00