landp

Rahma, Alhumdulilah it was not worse. I know what you mean my nanny raised me and life isn't the same without her, so it's great you are so close. I will make dua for her.

salam alaikom

I am at work laughing my $%^ off!!!

funny funny funny

thanks Rahma, I needed a laugh.

Congratulations!!!

I agree, the process is not the easiest and some unfortunately (including myself) end up in divorce. I still participate helping others going through the process, but sometimes I wish I could go to a forum to answer these questions as well.

Hi everyone,

A friend of mine if visiting from Jordan on a b2 visa, however the embassy in Amman asked that the invitation letter we send is sent from a US Mission? I don't get that part. Does anyone know where I need to send the fax from? Does it need to be a local government office of some sort?

I appreciate any help you can offer.

thank you

prena

Hi everyone,

I have some questions...I converted to islam a little over a year ago. We had an engagement party in morocco, but applied for our marriage license here in the states. My husband came on a k-1. After the imam married us, I contacted him a few months later for our "lslamic certificate." We already had one from the state. It stated the dowry amount and such. the only thing left that I think I need to do is register with morocco.

is that correct? or did I miss something? thank you for your help.

prena

CONGRATULATIONS MERIEM!!!!

I am so happy for you. I remember when you took your first trip and then came back to file the papers. I am so happy for you! Enjoy your time when your hubby to be gets here!!!

salams,

prena

Congrats Noura!!!!

Hi LADIES....

K - thanks for the call you are so sweet .

we waited from 10:30 this am until 3p to be called in and after alllll of that

WE GOT APPROVED.

it was really simple too, he looked through the copies ( left alot of the originals home by accident). He looked through all the pictures and mostly asked my husband questions. Like when/where we met, about our engagment, where i worked, how long i have been at my job, our address and if we were planning for kids.

He only asked me his parents names....

Thanks to everyone for all your support throughout this time.

salam alaikom,

prena

With all the talk here lately about men marrying for greencards, relax. So what if he did want a greencard? He may also want a happy, loving marriage to a good woman to go along with that card. Be that person and always remember what brought you together, will keep you together.

I think that is naive. How can those two go together? I know some of these men and love is invented as they go along in an overblown romantic sort of way. Marriage, I thought, was about partnership and respect and friendship. Love and romance figure in strongly too - but this is something not easily fused in the Moroccan culture. Men and women are married in mostly arranged marriages. Western women are "outside the fold" of the Moroccan social structure and are thus "easier" and free. The religious conscience is soothed by knowing she must be a Christian, at least marginally. It is more of a business contract. Man gets a visa and a new life and access to money. Woman gets overblown romantic husband and fantasies fulfilled.

It is all very strange and I keep waiting for a sociologist to write a book about it. By the way, I personally know the man, Sharif, who wrote this article. He married a Moroccan woman and I married a Moroccan man -- so I am not throwing stones -- I just see so much of this that iit s starting to get ridculous.

Deeshla

Deeshla, just out of curiosity are you moroccan as well? Are you living in the United States? If so, how did you migrate to this country. I appreciate your thoughts, however, what I find naive is many of the middle-eastern marriages (inlcuding india), where the couple are from the same country, but for whatever the reason, the wife is left in the home country for "x" amount of time. While the husband is here frequenting american lovers and strip bars. More than not those are arranged marriages.

What are your thoughts if a muslim-american woman just wants to marry a muslim man from a muslim country with the hopes of leading a strong by faith partnership?

Just one last thought, marriage IS a parntership/business, you have to sign a contract. It is a partnership, and for the lucky ones, that includes love, caring and much understanding.

Allison,

I am so sorry for this, I will keep him in my prayers. Please let us know everything worked out. InshaAllah he can just take another flight. How is his english? Will he be ok to make the arrangements? If not I will be in New York tomorrow at my mom's place, 10 minutes away from JFK and if necessary I can meet your SO and help him to get the next ticket.

Please PM me and let me know.

blessings,

prena

Thanks everyone for the good wishes...I feel so bad. I panicked from the blog events earlier and removed my pic and timeline.

I will be glad when this chapter is over though. My Mother in law is having surgery today and we may need to go to morocco sooner than next spring, so that greencard will come in very handy.

Thanks ladies. I will most definitely keep you posted.

salams,

prena

Sorry I'm so late Joan, been off VJ a few days CONGRATULATIONS and no worries. You will be in our prayers. InshaAllah you'll have a job lined up for next week.

hugs,

prena

Hello, last night,i was reading a book about the new's law for family here in Morocco and i found an answer to your question.the new moudawana said in article 15: if some moroccan contract their marriage outside the country and want to declare their marriage,they have to send a copy of their marriage to the nearest moroccan consulate less than 3 months.if there is no moroccan consulate in their country where they live they have to send it to the moroccan department of foreign affairs less than 3 months.this department gonna send the copy to the family court in Rabat.i hope i answer your question if you want more infornations let me now.GOOD LUCK

what if its been more than 3 months?

I'll be the first to say happy friday everyone!!!!!

I can't wait until work is over today!!!

Hope you all have a great weekend.

salams,

prena

Me too Prena, so I am going to take the liberty and make the thread in honor of cbarrosmostafa who started the thread and Just Waiting who kept them going! I don't want to clutter up the ME/NA forum especially if people need to find information. Hope you gals don't mind!!

Angel

cool - what happened to cbarrosmostafa

that's a great idea!!!!! makes alot of sense

Hey Prena..Not doing the special K challenge, but I'm definately on a program...Mostly low carb and lots of exercise..I've already lost a lot of weight, 100 lbs + to be exact over the course of the last 18 months..I started to gain a bit back after my trip to Morocco, mostly because of the stress of the separation and the impending nightmare of this visa process..But I recently got back on the horse, still need to lose about 25 more to be where I want to be. By the way, I'm Dawn..I see your posts here and in Doreen's group. I hope we can offer each other support in this! Talk to you soon.

Salams Dawn,

thanks for the response. I have been really busy with school, but I am no longer an active member in Doreen's group due to some, in my opinion, hurtful remarks by some members there. Rather than add to the hurtful tone, I no longer post there. However, I find VJ to be extremely supportive and post more often here.

Where are you in your journey? Be sure to keep your signature timeline updated.

Best,

prena

Salams ladies,

well it's too late to lose weight for my wedding that came and went and if I keep this up, I won't even be able to fit into my wedding dress less that a year later. I was watching Tyra and thought I'd try the Special K challenge to keep me started. If anyone cares to join just sign up - you replace two meals each day with a bowl of cereal and fruit, not so hard. If I can loose 6 pounds in two weeks why not?

I would welcome the company

best,

prena

Hi sarah,

please let me know what you find. My husband just went last week and they said it wasn't necessary to register with them and the the information on the website was incorrect. I was furious, but my husband did what they said. I'd be curious to know if they give you some sort of confirmation for this.

otherwise, I am sorry i don't have any other info to share.

best,

prena

#######???? Allah forgive me but this is outrageous how dare they do this? Carrie, I am so sorry for this - I don't know what to say. If I can be of any support please let me know.

thanks

hey i've been home sick all day and waiting for hubby to get home from work - sooo bored lol

Alhumdulilah and Mabrouk! Rahma!

Sorry I am late....Icey have a fabulous trip and take lots of pictures. Enjoyyyyyy

Carrie, so sorry about this. They did the same thing to my sis, one email would say one thing and DOS another. It took a month for it to get straightened out. The good news is once the Senator makes an "inquiry" that seems to get them moving and shaking. Start your wedding plans tomorrow, may some appointments for June. There's still a chance they'll call him this week. If you need to vent, talk, cry please don't hesistate to gimme a ring. We're all here for you. Lots of hugs.

prena