ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaI Spy Caturday!
If the husband has a fault, it's that he used to watch the WWE waaay too often. Sadly I know who Ray Mysterio is, and I actually thought the same thing last night when we took the picture laughing.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-03-21 16:47:00
Middle East and North AfricaI Spy Caturday!
Here's a picture of my crazy kitty in honor of caturday. She's busy bouncing off the walls, wedging herself in between the french doors and screen, and incessantly meowing at my feet while I try to cook.


UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-03-21 15:04:00
Middle East and North AfricaProof of Your Relationship
QUOTE
I have my marriage book (in Turkey they put the details of your marriage in this small little pleather notebook, I have had this translated already and notarized and sent it off with the I-130). I did not include the next forms with the I-130 package, but they also gave us two additional pieces of paper, one to congratulate us personally from their office and the other to say that they planted a tree in our name (!!!) in Ankara as a gift to us for our marriage, lol. Would those even help?


yes.gif

QUOTE
My aunt and cousins live in Turkey, and were the ones around at the time for our ceremony. My mother and sister met him last summer in Jordan when they came to visit for a few days. I have some pictures of us all hanging out...I do not have pics with my Turkish family though, theyre kind of shy about taking pics to begin with, not sure why. sad.gif


The ones with your mom and sister should definately be included. I know the interviewer was impressed that my family (mom, dad, sister, brother) had met the husband and my inlaws. If you feel like you need more evidence, have your mom, sis, and turkish relatives submit affidavits, if it would put your mind at ease.

How many times have you been to visit him? How much time have you spent together. In general, the more times, the better.

QUOTE
UmmSqueak, thanks for your reply. I suppose I am just freaking out about everything related to this nowadays because I quite simply am so sick and damn tired of waiting! I am in fact miserable and pissed off every day I wake up because of this. I just want to start a life finally together. Ive waited enough time... and I dont want to spend another birthday without him. see, now I am whining here...another reason why I want this to end, I have become annoying! smile.gif


Ah, I guess i never freaked out about it too much. I had to wait until after I graduated from college and had a job for awhile before I could even apply for him, which turned out to be close to 4 years, so by then I was used to the waiting laughing.gif

Try taking the long view. The husband and I had somehow arbitrarily picked the number 80, as in we'd be together for 80 years inshaAllah. So we looked at it that way, in the grand scheme of things, the time we were apart wasn't much compared to how much time we'd have together in the end.

And here we are, 3 and a half years after he's arrived in the US, and we're getting to annoy the heck out of each other every day wink.gif

At some point, just make a concious decision to not be pissed off and anxious anymore. It will do wonders for your sanity and blood pressure.

QUOTE
Thank you again...Inshallah things will go smoothly and quickly...I just dont want there to be any reason WHATSOEVER for these people to say no to us...we are simple common fools who just want to be together and not bother with anyone...that's it.

smile.gif I guess...like everyone else too.

Sorry for the emotional tirades...I dont know how some of you handle this ordeal sad.gif


Hey, no problem, feel free to vent. People in "the real world" often don't understand how it sucks to be seperated. Just don't get sucked into a whirling pit of despair, which is easy to do.





Also, re: your signature - did you file the I-130 in 08 or 09?

Edited by UmmSqueakster, 20 March 2009 - 02:41 PM.

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-03-20 14:41:00
Middle East and North AfricaProof of Your Relationship
What kind of documents/evidence do you have related to your actual wedding? Did your family ever travel to meet him?

I know we sent photocopies of the envelopes of 5 or 6 letters we had sent each other, in addition to a few select emails and a few screen shots of my inbox from various points in our relationship. I didn't include anything related to the telephone or chatting programs. We sent probably 2 dozen pictures, including ones with my family and him in egypt.

Some people have boatloads of evidence, and the embassy people don't even look at it. We had a middling amount, mainly submitted with the original petition, and the interviewer didn't ask for anymore.

At this point, breath in, breath out...calm... star_smile.gif If you worry yourself to death, the process will be hell. If you take it easy, inshaAllah it won't stress you out too badly.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-03-20 14:11:00
Middle East and North AfricaFaster spouse visa? Apply in Egypt after 6 months or apply from USA?
Ok, here's the dealio:

Cairo sucks. It sucks big time. It takes a long time. A long long time. Some spousal visas take a long time. Some take a long long time. No rhyme or reason, just the way it is.

Just thank your lucky stars you didn't go through Cairo a few years back. Then you'd be stuck in AP for a year or more. AP is processing after the interview. Everyone goes through AP. For some, it's a few weeks. For some, it's more than a year.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-03-24 16:28:00
Middle East and North AfricaUpdate on Amal's mama
That sounds similar to what my uncle had - intense chemo for a period, then a period off to recover.

I hope she's getting better rose.gif


UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-04-02 10:32:00
Middle East and North AfricaUpdate on Amal's mama
Alhamdulilah the cancer is curable. May her healing and recovery be speedy and simple.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-02-24 15:33:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA Spill the beans game
Sorry, I messed up the order. There, all back in place now:

Tasha lives where I used to live.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-01-07 14:21:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA Spill the beans game
Tasha lives where I used to live.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-01-07 14:01:00
Middle East and North AfricaStaashi is a MOMMY
Yaaay, another (honorary) MENA baby! Hugs for baby Enzo and the new mommy.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-04-02 10:35:00
Middle East and North AfricaDoes Cairo accept a co-sponsor?
If in doubt, I'd email the embassy and ask. This was their email back in 2005:

ConsularCairo@state.gov
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-04-06 14:33:00
Middle East and North AfricaQuestion for those working with Syrian Relatives
QUOTE (enraptured @ Mar 20 2009, 04:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I try to pray, as often as I can, daily....I admit I'm not very devout, maybe that is my problem.. smile.gif


You mean spending years on islamica doesn't make you a better muslim? I'm shocked shocked! lol.

If you'll excuse my religious tangent, there is a hadith that says:

"Faith has two halves: one half is patience (sabr); and the other half is thankfulness (shukr)."

I think this applies very well to the immigration wait. We must have sabr in the wait, and have shukr for the blessings we do have. Otherwise, we go crazy.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-03-20 16:29:00
Middle East and North AfricaQuestion for those working with Syrian Relatives
Personally, in my case, I worked my behind off here in the US to prepare a home for the husband once he arrived. It's all well and good to spend time together and do DCF, but then you both arrive on US soil scrambling to secure a footing.

Moving to the US was a big transition for him, and having an apartment all set up, and having to worry about money too much made it a lot easier for him. Granted, it was in no way easy, but I can't imagine what it would have been like if I didn't have a job and an apartment already.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-03-19 07:53:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA,How old is your spouse?
QUOTE (sandrila @ Feb 13 2009, 08:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (UmmSqueakster @ Feb 12 2009, 03:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I was 21 when we met and he was 23. He didn't get here until he was 27. We're now 27 and 30. Holy shnikes, we've been together a long time blink.gif

The husband has always been quite mature for his age and self sufficient.



so are you Squeaky yes.gif


Ha, my husband would beg to differ with you whistling.gif He frequently asks how old I am again, to which I say I'm a child at heart.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-02-13 09:55:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA,How old is your spouse?
I was 21 when we met and he was 23. He didn't get here until he was 27. We're now 27 and 30. Holy shnikes, we've been together a long time blink.gif

The husband has always been quite mature for his age and self sufficient.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-02-12 15:10:00
Middle East and North AfricaI missed all the cookbook orders.... :(
QUOTE (Cheryl & Medo @ Apr 16 2009, 03:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Count me in Amal I want a cook book. And where do you get the grape leaves from??? unsure.gif


Middle Eastern or greek grocery store. On occasion, the "ethnic" section of a regular grocery store will have them too. Mahshy (at least the egyptian kind, don't know about from other countries) can technically be almost any kind of stuffed food. Grape leaves are just what are most well known here, usually as greek dolmas. But you can stuff peppers, zucchini, eggplants, tomatoes, cabbage, chicken, sky's the limit.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-04-16 16:12:00
Middle East and North AfricaI missed all the cookbook orders.... :(
QUOTE (Donna A @ Apr 16 2009, 12:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (UmmSqueakster @ Apr 16 2009, 12:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Was it my grape leaf recipe? I'm makin grape leaves this weekend for a baby shower at work. Mmmm grape leaves.


yep, one was bridget and the other was rahma's.


I'm glad you liked it. They don't last long at our house either, which is why I usually spend hours making a huuuuge batch. Then if I'm lucky, they'll last 3 or 4 days.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-04-16 16:07:00
Middle East and North AfricaI missed all the cookbook orders.... :(
Was it my grape leaf recipe? I'm makin grape leaves this weekend for a baby shower at work. Mmmm grape leaves.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-04-16 11:20:00
Middle East and North AfricaMoroccans out there or Moroccan SO
QUOTE (adam1 @ Apr 17 2009, 07:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm only going to live ones in this life, so I chose whats going to make happy. good luck to you to.


Is that really what you're going to tell Allah (swt) on the day of judgment? Really?
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-04-17 08:09:00
Middle East and North AfricaPets?
Abu Squeakster and I adopted Squeaky this last December. While it took some time getting used to the american idea of the pet as part of the family, she's got him wrapped around her paws now. All she needs to do is walk up to him, look at him with big eyes and squeak out a little "meow" and he'll drop what he's doing and pick her up for a cuddle. He also has her trained that all he needs to do is snap his fingers and point at her carrier, and she'll go in. Very very helpful since we have a (false) fire alarm every few weeks and we don't have to be chasing the kitty around while we're trying to get out.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-04-20 07:36:00
Middle East and North AfricaWhy I fell in love with my MENA man/woman
[smug zealot] Because he has a deep and sincere love of Allah (swt) [/smug zealot] Oh no wait, that really is why I love him wacko.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-04-20 16:12:00
Middle East and North AfricaThursday in MENA
I've been extolling the virtues of hiking to AbuSqueakster for years, and he finally relented. We had a half day hike planned for this Saturday, and now it looks like it's going to rain ranting33va.gif That wouldn't stop me, since I used to backpack up mountains with a 50 pound pack in the rain, but I'm thinking AbuS would not enjoy that. Ah well, inshaAllah we'll go next weekend. Then I can work him up to go camping biggrin.gif

Edited by UmmSqueakster, 23 April 2009 - 09:19 AM.

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-04-23 09:18:00
Middle East and North Africadeclaring your marriage

Wise advice. Egypt (and I am assuming other ME/NA countries as well) is very difficult for a "mixed" couple to function in. I have the nightmare stories to prove it. This is wonderful advice.


I know quite a number of ladies who do well, and some who don't. Allahu Alem (only God knows) how I'd do. But, it's years from now, so I don't have to worry about it quite yet :star:


My question is, rahma, did you have to go to Chicago personally to register your marriage, or can it be done via mail? This is something I definitely want to do in the (hopefully near) future.


I believe you can do it via mail, but we didn't want to send DH's passport and our marriage certificate in case they lost it, with our AOS interview coming up soon. It's kinda scary to send off the passport, when it's the only real form of ID he has in this country. They do ask that egyptians register within 6 months of arriving in the US, although it 's not necessarily required. They didn't tell us what would happen if we didn't. I think the California consulate has online registration, but the Chicago one sucks, to put it mildly.

http://www.egy2000.com/missionsl.htm

Edited by rahma, 28 April 2006 - 08:54 AM.

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-04-28 08:53:00
Middle East and North Africadeclaring your marriage
Ok, completely different country, but Tamer and I went down to Chicago awhile back and registered our marriage with the Egyptian Embassy. It wasn't required, but it will make traveling in Egypt much much easier. The government frowns on unmarried people traveling (and living) together, so when we've gone in the past, we've had to sculk around and pay premium prices on our apartments. The police wouldn't have been persuaded by a "we're married religiously but don't have any papers to prove it" argument.

The citizenship issue is an interesting one, and one I've been thinking about a lot recently. Our kids will be dual citizens, Egyptian/American. Since Tamer and I are contemplating moving back to Egypt once he has his CPA, I'm also thinking about getting the Egyptian nationality, so I can more easily own property in Egypt. But, so many pros and cons to way out. :wacko: Definately going to leave those worries to some time in the future.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-04-28 08:41:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe Cairo Club
QUOTE
I swear the Visa process is the easy part... you have little control and plenty of OTHER PEOPLE to blame... once that part is over... it's just the two of you... sink or swim!


Sing it girl! My favorite catch phrase since AbuS arrived has been "there's no such thing as a happy ending." The patience you should (hopefully) learn in the visa process is tried and tested and stretched beyond belief once you're reunited in the US.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-04-24 08:39:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe Cairo Club
I'm a convert to Islam (islam is the religion, muslim is a person who follows Islam). And here of course is the obligatory disclaimer that I converted independent of the husband, which should be quite obvious when one views our extremely different takes on the religion. If I converted to please him, I'd be an ibn Hazm loving proto salafi, instead of an al Ghazali loving shafi'i.

If you have any questions about Islam, we have a muslims thread here. Also, I maintaining a list of helpful materials for converts that may also be useful for someone interested in islam.


The husband, aka Abu Squeakster (Abu ____ means father of, Umm ____ means mother of) was an accountant in egypt and alhamdulilah, he's an accountant here. He was very lucky that his accounting program in egypt was taught in english and was basically american accounting. It took him a long time to find an accounting job here, and in the meantime, he did temp work, an accounting internship, volunteered with a few non profits and worked at a check cashing place (major soul suck). He was unfortunately laid off at the end of March, but alhamdulilah, he's had a much easier go in job hunting this time around. He already has a number of interviews lined up and inshaAllah something good will come of one of them.

What really helped him get his first good job here was his internship, because it filled his resume and got him good references that basically landed him his accounting position. From there, he worked his behind off and came away from it with more good references and more good contacts in the non profit community in our area.

There are a few threads hanging around about what to do when they get here. I"ll see if I can dig some up.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-04-22 13:59:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe Cairo Club
It *is* hard after they get here. We've never had a happily ever after moment, and we struggle each day to keep going. Just when everything seemed to fall into place for us, Abu Squeakster was laid off. Those of you who've been around for awhile know how long it took him to get a good job, at least in part due to his own stubborness. And I think I've often said that things are hard when they get here. very very hard.

We often had the discussion re: staying or going. He wanted to go home after the second week here, and used to remind me often about how he could have had a life in egypt if he went back then, but now he's stuck here. Alhamdulilah we've moved beyond that, and part of it was just making a concious effort to be happy with each other and work towards a future together. We've made our bed, now we lie in it and do the best we can to make it work.

For us at least, our faith provides some solace, and when we practice together, things improve. We've been doing that a lot lately, and our discussions don't turn into fights as often, and things in general are easier, even in difficult financial times.

Edited by UmmSqueakster, 22 April 2009 - 01:02 PM.

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-04-22 13:01:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe Cairo Club
QUOTE (Astarte @ Apr 21 2009, 04:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I know I should break out the pom poms for every reckless, irresponsible thing some ppl do around here but that's not me. This is public, I can give my opinion no matter how unpopular. I will not stifle myself or blindly support in order to "fit in". I haven't insulted anyone, I stated my opinion.


If you had just given the full and detailed response you gave later, I wouldn't have an issue. The thing that bothered me was the terse, unhelpful remark to a newbie. Sure, don't mince words, but at least attempt to be helpful if you're going to be blunt.

QUOTE
Perhaps I worded it wrong. Perhaps I wasn't TECHNICAL enough. We're not all as perfect as you. It must be so hard to be so perfect.


So attempting to actually be decent to people is now to be perfect?

QUOTE
I realize that you take offense to comments about particular subjects that you yourself were involved with. It's a damn good thing I didn't suggest skerber do a paper marriage so she could "legally" shack up while filing a k1. That would be HIGHLY offensive to some. whistling.gif


Ah, ad hominem, my favorite internet discussion fallacy. What I did to get married (which didn't involve papers btw) is between me, my husband and my Rabb. If that's your attempt at getting me riled up, ain't gonna work, sorry.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-04-22 08:21:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe Cairo Club
I'm sorry, were we suppose to give a standing ovation for your attempt at dream crushing? Yes, people CAN get engaged without having met. Is it wise? That is debatable. If you come in here to crush dreams with a silly untrue one liner, what exactly do you expect?
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-04-21 08:07:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe Cairo Club
Um, really? Can't means you don't have the ability to do something. People have the ability to be engaged even if they haven't met. I'm sure you could argue whether or not it was wise, but it is humanly possible to be engaged before meeting. We were engaged before we met, and here we are many years later, albiet with lots of bumps along the way but still together alhamdulilah.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-04-20 16:10:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe Cairo Club
*bump* whistling.gif

I'm really hoping we'll be getting to go to egypt this summer. I haven't been in 4 years and the husband hasn't been back in 3 and a half. No cooking for me when I go - I'm going to pig out on tamiyya, shwerma, and koshari koshari koshari kicking.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2009-04-20 07:55:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe Cairo Club
QUOTE (doodlebug @ Feb 7 2007, 01:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Together4ever @ Feb 7 2007, 02:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yeah... ok... so what's up with those sideburns?



laughing.gif laughing.gif laughing.gif


I actually like them on my guy.


Here's a question for ya.......I keep asking Usama why he does not want to grow a beard. Religious reasons aside, when he does not shave for like three days lemme tell ya I almost have to shut the video cam off because he's HOT with a beard!!! He told me that he'll explain why the next time I visit....he couldn't talk about it over the internet.

Anyone know the answer to this mysterious question? Or is he just pulling my leg and he'll just say, "i don't wanna'. lol



My husband normally shaves clean once or twice a week. Yesterday however, he left a chin goatee and a soul patch. Next time honey, just leave a full goatee.

We're working out way up to sunnah beard though kicking.gif His boss is an orthodox jew who started keeping a beard recently, so in a few months, my husband is thinking of growing a beard too.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-12-22 14:31:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe Cairo Club
QUOTE (Nawal @ Dec 22 2008, 01:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Rahma!! YUMMY! I love it. My MIL is here now so she's been cooking up a storm...I call it her Egyptian Baked Ziti. LOL


This is an awesome Thread! YAY... biggrin.gif Glad you bumped it.

*yells "hey doodlebug"*



I can't wait until we can invite my MIL here. My egyptian cooking is ok, but I got it all from websites, so I'd like to get a little bit of authentic schooling.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-12-22 14:28:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe Cairo Club
Hmm, do they use cheese in Egypt? I'll have to ask the husband. Cheese would be very tasty for sure. Of course, as a wisconsinite who comes from a long line of dairy farmers, I firmly believe everything is better with cheese whistling.gif

Edited by rahma, 22 December 2008 - 09:37 AM.

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-12-22 09:37:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe Cairo Club
Also, I made bechamel last night. Mmm, mmm tasty good.gif

Here's my bechamel recipe:

*Boil noodles, as many as you need to fill a 9x13 pan about 3/4 of the way full. Elbow macaroni is traditional, but I use whatever shapes I have in the cupboard.

*Fry ~1 lb ground beef. Season with salt and pepper. Throw in some onions and garlic if you're not making this for a work lunch. Since I usually make this to pack for the husband's lunch at work, I don't make it with garlic and onions for breath reasons.
*Remove from pan and drain excess fat.

*melt 3 T butter in a pan
*Stir in 4 T flour, fry until golden
*Slowly add 1.5 C cold milk and 1.5 C chicken stock
*Stir consistently until thick
*season with salt and pepper to taste.
*crack 2 eggs in and stir until mixed

*layer half the noodles in the bottom of the greased 9x13 pan.
*ladle half the bechamel sauce mix over the noodles
*spread ground beef over the noodles.
*put the rest of the noodles over the beef
*ladle remaining sauce over the noodles

*bake in a 400 degree oven for 20-30 minutes, until noodles on top are slightly crispy.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-12-22 08:53:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe Cairo Club
bump. I've been dreaming about Egypt while I'm freezing my booty off here in minnesota. The husband is probably going for a visit sometime this year inshaAllah, for the first time since he's been here. He's saving up his PTO from work and wants to go for a month. I'm thinking about joining him for a week.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-12-22 08:48:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe Cairo Club

Actually, there are a lot of Hanafis in Egypt. Most are Hanafi...then Shafi3y


Really? I always thought shafi'is dominated. Thinking about it now, I guess Ottoman domination would = hanafi laws, but I had always assumed it was like other arab areas of the ottoman empire, where the laws were hanafi based, but the people stuck with their previous madhabs.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2007-02-20 11:10:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe Cairo Club
I like Amr Khaled :blush: I wouldn't get my Islamic Knowledge from him, but watching his shows is a definately Iman booster :thumbs:

I especially liked his Ramadan series this year - In Thy name, we live - which went over different names of Allah (swt) each day.

You can find them on Google Video with subtitles. I tried to watch it during iftar instead of watching Sex in the City, lol!
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2007-02-19 14:32:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe Cairo Club

The Absolute Essentials of Islam by Faraz Rabbani

Again he didn' tknow anything about the author at all. Just said I should stick to Egyptians and old scholars.



I have it :star: Sheikh Faraz is uber cool. He's Pakistani Canadian, and has been teaching and studying in Jordan for several years. He also teaches several Sunnipath courses. I'd definately catagorize him in the knowledgable people in the tradition of the Prophet (saws) category.

http://www.sunnipath...haykhfaraz.aspx

Faraz Fareed Rabbani was born in Karachi, Pakistan and raised in Toronto, Canada. He entered the University of Toronto with a full scholarship and completed his Bachelor's in Economics & Commerce in May 1997. While in Canada, Shaykh Faraz was involved with various organizations and projects, including founding and running the monthly The Muslim Voice and acting as the Vice-President of the University of Toronto MSA from 1994-1996. While in Toronto, he was involved in various Islamic study circles and educational programs, including those of Shaykh Ahmad Talal al-Ahdab, Shaykh Faisal Abd al-Razzaq, and Shaykh Muhammad Zahid Abu Ghudda.

After graduation, Shaykh Faraz traveled with his family to Damascus, Syria, to formally seek Islamic knowledge. In Damascus, he studied Arabic, Aqida, Mantiq, Hanafi Fiqh, Shafi'I Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, and Hadith with a number of scholars including Shaykh Haytham Idilbi, Shaykh Abd al-Rahman Kharsa, Shaykh Abd al-Haleem Abu Sha`r, Shaykh Umar al-Sabbagh, Shaykh Jihad Brown, Shaykh Mu'min al-Annan, Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi, Sayyidi Shaykh Adib Kallas, Shaykh Muhammad Jumuah, Sh. Abd al-Razzaq al-Halabi, Shaykh Haytham, Shaykh Abd al-Haleem Abu Sha`r, and Ustadh Mahmud al-Bayruti. In the Summer of 2000, he moved to Amman, Jordan. Upon moving to Jordan, his teachers advised him to focus on teaching what he had covered, for which they gave him encouragement and permission, and to continue his personal research and study.

He has two published books: Sufism & Good Character and The Absolute Essentials of Islam: A Basic Hanafi Primer on Faith, Prayer, & the Path of Salvation. [White Thread Press, 2004. He also runs the blog Seeker's Digest and has a regular column in Islamica Magazine. As the founder of the original Hanafi fiqh list, Shaykh Faraz has been involved with SunniPath since its beginning. At SunniPath, an online Islamic academy, Shaykh Faraz teaches fiqh, aqeeda, and other subjects. He also serves as Director of SunniPath's Answers Service. He currently lives in Amman, Jordan with his wife and three children.


UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2007-02-19 14:07:00
Middle East and North AfricaThe Cairo Club
I'd be curious as to who the author is doodle, if you don't mind. Most hanafi related material today in english comes from Pakistan and India. He'll be hard pressed to find any english hanafi related books that don't come from there.

If I may suggest it, my favorite book is Inner Dimensions of Islamic Worship by Imam al Ghazali. Reading it has given me much deeper insight into salat especially :thumbs:

I'm not aware of many egyptian authors that are translated into english. If he suggests some, send em my way. I do have some books about modern egypt - Mobilizing Islam is the best one I've read that introduces Islamic activism in Egypt.

Edited by rahma, 19 February 2007 - 01:47 PM.

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2007-02-19 13:47:00