Alhamdulillah

This conversation about what your husbands can do to make themselves more modest/less attractive is making me laugh.

The reason is women are so different regarding how we find the opposite sex to be attractive. Some women may love a beard. Men will oogle women in a totally different way. For me, I don't like it when my husband shaves his goatee, but others say he looks much better without it.

I don't think the hijab rule could really apply to a man, for them I think its all about actions.

In Islam, the hijab rule applies to both. They have to cover themselves from, at the very least, navel to knees. The beard is also a must (some don't agree... depends on your school of thought I guess).

They also have to lower their gaze and not mix unnecessarily with non related women as a part of modesty.

IMHO, the fact that some women find beards attractive is not a reason for men not to wear them.... some men find women in hijab attractive.... there are veil-fetish-perverts all over the web! but that doesn't mean women shouldn't wear it. (eta: the mad face is for the perverts not you lol)

Iraq banned from Beijing Olympics amid feud

By BRIAN MURPHY, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD (AP)—Just two weeks before the start of the Olympics, Iraq was told Thursday it’s not welcome in Beijing because of a political feud in Baghdad that angered the games’ guardians and exiled a country that arrived to a roaring ovation at the opening ceremony four years ago.

The International Olympic Committee told Iraqi sports officials in a letter that it would uphold its ban imposed in June after the government in Baghdad replaced its national Olympic panel with members not recognized by the IOC.

The IOC had called the move unacceptable government interference.

In Iraq, it also smacked of the lingering sectarian bitterness between the new Shiite power brokers and the Sunnis who were once favored under Saddam Hussein—whose son, Odai, ran the nation’s Olympic committee as a personal fiefdom and was accused of torturing athletes who came up short.

“Clearly we’d very much like to have seen Iraq’s athletes in Beijing,” said IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies. “We are very disappointed that the athletes have been so ill-served by their own government’s actions.”

But Davies suggested there was still a possibility for last-ditch talks to salvage Iraq’s place before the games open Aug. 8.

“If there can be some movement and if a resolution can be found, that’s still an open door,” she told CNN. When asked if there’s a window of about a week, she said “Correct.”

At the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, the crowd at the opening ceremony rose to its feet as the small Iraqi team entered the stadium for the first Olympics since the fall of Saddam. The team was led by Najah Ali, a 106-pound boxer who carried the red-white-and-green flag. Later, the pint-sized underdog pumped his fists after winning a bout in an early round and shouted from the ring that his victory was “a symbol of freedom.”

Iraq’s soccer team also became one of the feel-good stories of Athens when it made a surprising run to the semifinals—only to be defeated by Italy 1-0 in the bronze-medal game.

This year, at least seven Iraqi athletes were expected to compete in Beijing in sports including weightlifting, rowing and archery. Their spots were given to other nations by the IOC.

Iraqi sports officials reacted with disbelief and outrage as they watched the efforts for Beijing vanish. Iraq has only one medal—a bronze in weightlifting in 1960—since its first appearance at the Summer Olympics in 1948.

“Unjust,” said Fawzi Akram, a member of the sports committee in parliament. “Iraq is passing through an exception period and should be given special consideration.”

The official who received the IOC’s letter—Jassim Mohammed Jaafar, the minister of sport and youth—grumbled: “We reject this unfair decision.”

But it’s been coming to a head for months.

In May, Iraq’s government dissolved the 11-member National Olympic Committee. Among the claims was that it was illegitimate because it lacked enough members for a legal quorum—even though four members of the committee, including its chief, were kidnapped two years ago and their fates remain unknown.

There’s also possible echoes of Iraq’s sectarian rifts. The Youth and Sports Ministry is dominated by Shiites who also control the government. Iraq’s Olympic Committee had included several holdovers from the Saddam era.

The IOC banned Iraq in June, but said it was open for talks. Iraq, too, promised to meet the IOC and present “solid evidence” of corruption, unfair elections and other alleged failings by the committee.

But on Thursday, the IOC said the deadline to open negotiations had run out — just as athletes begin their final preparations for Beijing.

“We are deeply sorry for this result,” said the IOC letter.

Iraq is not the first country to miss an Olympics because of government interference.

In the most recent case, Afghanistan was prevented from sending a team to the Sydney Games in 2000 when the Taliban regime’s heavy hand extended to sports.

The U.S. Olympic Committee also had a stake in the Iraq team, signing an agreement in 2006 to help with training for Beijing.

White House press secretary Dana Perino expressed disappointment.

“I’m sure that the Iraqi athletes who have trained so hard and were finally going to represent a country that is free and sovereign and working to establish its democracy, they have to be terribly disappointed, and I’m disappointed for the athletes as well,” she said.

While many Iraqi officials rallied behind the government, the mood among fans was sour.

“The (IOC) decision will be a catastrophe for Iraqi sports,” said Dia Hussein, coach of the Iraq Police Soccer team, which plays in the national league. “I blame the Iraqi government for bringing this on the country.”

Yaroub Kadim, a 22-year-old university student, described sports as “one of the only real lifelines connecting everyone in the country.”

There’s a cruel irony in the suspicions that sectarian power plays may have sunk Iraq’s Olympic hopes. Sports has become one of the few genuine sources of national unity since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

In July 2007, Iraqis erupted with joy when their national team—the Lions of the Two Rivers—won the Asia Cup. Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds poured into streets lined with blast walls to celebrate, shoot guns in the air and bask in a common Iraqi pride.

The soccer team was also hit by a ban by the sport’s governing body, but was lifted in time for Iraq to compete in the World Cup qualifying tournament. Sports figures also have joined the long rolls of civilians killed in the war.

The Olympic cycling coach, national wrestling coach, a soccer federation member and a prominent volleyball player have been killed, most in 2006 during the height of sectarian slayings.

Isn't Mikha'il the name of one of the angels, according to Islam? My husband and I discussed angels a while back, and I remember similarities to the Biblical names.

Michael is one of the archangels; along with Gabriel and Rafael. As found on Wikipedia, here are the Islamic translations of the archangels...

In Islam,[15] the named archangels include: • Jibrail (or Jibraaiyl or Jibril or Gabriel in English and the Bible). Jibra'il is the Archangel responsible for revealing the Qur'an to Muhammad. Jibra'il is known as the angel who communicates with the Prophets. He is mentioned specifically by name and as the Holy Spirit in the Qur'an. (Gabriel, for those that don't know it, was also the archangel that announced to Mary that she was expecting Jesus)

• Mikail (or Mikaaiyl or Michael). Michael is often depicted as the Archangel of mercy who is responsible of bringing rain and thunder to Earth.

• Israfil (or Israafiyl or Raphael). According to the Hadith, Israfil is the Angel responsible for signalling the coming of Judgment Day by blowing a horn and sending out a Blast of Truth. It translates to Hebrew as Raphael.

My only suggestion on the name Mikha'il is to spell it without the apostrophe as that could be a headache for all in the future. Just my two cents. I would just spell it Mikhail and he'll be a-ok.

Interesting. Just got home and asked my husband about this. He said Moroccans will use the name Jibrail but not Mikha'il or Israfil. He's not sure why that is.

I'm sure it has to do with the importance of the Archangel Gabriel in his announcement of the Quran to the Prophet Mohammed - I would assume it is out of reverence to this historical even.

From my understanding, some scholars consider it taboo to name children after any angels.... never figured out why some name them Jibreel though.

Now you know about Jibreel. But I think it is a shame that those scholars view all those children named Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel and all derivatives of those names as just little taboo children who they and their parents just aren't going to get to heaven because of a name. Seems a little strange to me.

Whoaaaaa!!! I don't know what you were just reading but I didn't say any scholars said someone wouldn't go to heaven because of their name! Go back and read it again please!

WHY PARENTS HAVE GRAY HAIR!

============================

The boss of a big company needed to call one of his employees

about an urgent problem with one of the main computers.

He dialed the employee's home phone number and was greeted with

a child's whispered, "Hello?"

Feeling put out at the inconvenience of having to talk to a

youngster the boss asked, "Is your Daddy home?"

"Yes", whispered the small voice.

"May I talk with him?" the man asked.

To the surprise of the boss, the small voice whispered, "No."

Wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, "Is your Mommy

there?" "Yes", came the answer.

"May I talk with her?"

Again the small voice whispered, "No."

Knowing that it was not likely that a young child would be left

home alone, the boss decided he would just leave a message with

the person who should be there watching over the child.

"Is there any one there besides you?" the boss asked the child.

"Yes" whispered the child, "a policeman."

Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee's home,

the boss asked, "May I speak with the policeman?"

"No, he's busy," whispered the child.

"Busy doing what?" asked the boss.

"Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the Fireman", came the whispered

answer.

Growing concerned and even worried as he heard what sounded like

a helicopter through the ear piece on the phone the boss asked,

"What is that noise?"

"A hello-copper" answered the whispering voice.

"What is going on there?" asked the boss, now alarmed.

In an awed whispering voice the child answered, "The search team

just landed the hello-copper." Alarmed, concerned, and more

than just a little frustrated the boss asked,

"What are they searching for?"

Still whispering, the young voice replied along with a muffled

giggle:

"Me"

That was GREAT!!! I have to send this to my mommy!!!!!!

Isn't Mikha'il the name of one of the angels, according to Islam? My husband and I discussed angels a while back, and I remember similarities to the Biblical names.

Michael is one of the archangels; along with Gabriel and Rafael. As found on Wikipedia, here are the Islamic translations of the archangels...

In Islam,[15] the named archangels include: • Jibrail (or Jibraaiyl or Jibril or Gabriel in English and the Bible). Jibra'il is the Archangel responsible for revealing the Qur'an to Muhammad. Jibra'il is known as the angel who communicates with the Prophets. He is mentioned specifically by name and as the Holy Spirit in the Qur'an. (Gabriel, for those that don't know it, was also the archangel that announced to Mary that she was expecting Jesus)

• Mikail (or Mikaaiyl or Michael). Michael is often depicted as the Archangel of mercy who is responsible of bringing rain and thunder to Earth.

• Israfil (or Israafiyl or Raphael). According to the Hadith, Israfil is the Angel responsible for signalling the coming of Judgment Day by blowing a horn and sending out a Blast of Truth. It translates to Hebrew as Raphael.

My only suggestion on the name Mikha'il is to spell it without the apostrophe as that could be a headache for all in the future. Just my two cents. I would just spell it Mikhail and he'll be a-ok.

Interesting. Just got home and asked my husband about this. He said Moroccans will use the name Jibrail but not Mikha'il or Israfil. He's not sure why that is.

I'm sure it has to do with the importance of the Archangel Gabriel in his announcement of the Quran to the Prophet Mohammed - I would assume it is out of reverence to this historical even.

From my understanding, some scholars consider it taboo to name children after any angels.... never figured out why some name them Jibreel though.

Don't trust anyone!! Even some who aren't posers like to make fitnah behind the scenes....

I hope I haven't made fitnah behind the scene....of course I don't know what that means.

I said some, not all.

But seriously, with all the gossiping and rumor spreading that goes on in PMs who can know who to trust or not? There are surely some vultures in PM here that act like angels in public.

The other's often cause us to question our men and their motivations.

Yeah, there are some jinn and shayateen on here that want nothing more than to make fitnah between spouses as well.... n'authobillahi minash shaytaani rajeem.

divorced and still around? do we know they are divorced?

i'd dayum sure divorce a few of them

Ok. Now I am worried.

I don't know who is a poser and now I worry that I can't trust anyone.

I haven't given my phone number or anything to anyone. But I have shared some personal experiences (nothing risque) via PM.

How can you tell if they are a poser????

Don't trust anyone!! Even some who aren't posers like to make fitnah behind the scenes....

I have no doubt at all that some of the memebers of VJ, particularly in MENA, are fake/posers/trolls.... no doubts at all.

Mornin folks. My head still hurts from last night. Maybe its the hurricaine thats on its way here thats causing pressure changes that is making my head hurt?? grrr I wanna go back to bed OR get a good cup o coffee.

I had such a good time with Noura/her hubby , MBP/ her hubby , VP/ her hubby this weekend!!! I laughed till I about cried..and then laughed some more. Thanks girls for a great weekend!!!!

Ditto here........ we got home super late and passed out! Good times, good times! Amal & MBP are the hostesses w/ the mostesses and VP is a charming and entertaining lady! And so glad our guys got to meet too!

Like Amal pointed out - it's b/c of the guys that the girls met, but b/c the girls met, the guys got to meet too!

Don't be spoiling my VJ reputation now!!!

I had fun too. When is MBP cooking again????

Today has been such a lazy day. I need a nap from all this lounging around...............

why does it seem the mena women aren't let's say the prettiest girl on the block?

Speak for yourself! LOL

the hot guys thing

Ding Ding Ding... We have a Winner!!!!

I thought you were gonna say "gross" and "abnormal"

Having no clue what you guys are talking about I finally found this:

cornholing:

Or: corn-holing , colloquialism for **- and heterosexual #######-intercourse . See #######-copulation for synonyms.

Etymology: An early 20 th century American expression believed to have originated from the practice of wiping the ### with dried corncobs.

The etymology is what just sent Mountain Dew all over my monitor!

OK LOL I was reading this thread like I didn't get it until you posted this

The hubby just started a job a few miles away from the hotel room last week and he's been working all week but he went for another interview at a place right next door to the room this morning..... they hired him at $1.50 more on the hour and, since it's right next door, he'll save a lot of gas money (he can walk) and he'll be able to come home for lunch instead of eating out He's gone for his drug test now.... I was joking with him and said "Good luck! You better pass!" to which he replied "What? You think I drink everyday?!?" It's cute that he doesn't know what a drug test is for

Selfless in what sense? To allow a husband to chat on the internet with single women, to allow them to break expensive gifts,to allow them to walk on us and disrespect us? Is that what would "fix" this marriage?

I am there with you on that one, also living off a women is pretty low

I'm sorry. Maybe it's because I'm not a MENA woman. Or whatever.

BUT SMASHING HER LAPTOP? When she confronted him over something that *he* may have done wrong? And then not talking to her, as if it's /her/ fault that he's chatting up women on the internet and, uh, smashing her laptop?

From the perspective of a total outsider...something just isn't right here. And I think it goes way beyond adjustment issues or self-fulfilling prophecies. Seriously. I wonder where the outrage is, but I've never been in an abusive relationship before, so..

I think you missed the sarcasm.

lol - yes, I did.

Also, I don't totally believe it myself. To me, the reactions of some posters on here bother me more...than whether wahrenia is a really person or not.

I think, if ppl weren't skeptical about whether wahrnia and all the nonsense she (or he) posts is real or not, their reactions would be different.....

my habibi is a typical moroccan (from my understanding) lol so some days we have a beard others nope.... I love it when it gets past the "ouchy" phase of his beard and get a little ticked when he shaves but like it smooth too...

I can't stand mine to shave.... he used to before he got here but he stopped once he was here because he knows I hate it. He's made it into a goatee once since he's been here and I was like.... ummmm NO so now it's back to a full beard.

Selfless in what sense? To allow a husband to chat on the internet with single women, to allow them to break expensive gifts,to allow them to walk on us and disrespect us? Is that what would "fix" this marriage?

I am there with you on that one, also living off a women is pretty low

I'm sorry. Maybe it's because I'm not a MENA woman. Or whatever.

BUT SMASHING HER LAPTOP? When she confronted him over something that *he* may have done wrong? And then not talking to her, as if it's /her/ fault that he's chatting up women on the internet and, uh, smashing her laptop?

From the perspective of a total outsider...something just isn't right here. And I think it goes way beyond adjustment issues or self-fulfilling prophecies. Seriously. I wonder where the outrage is, but I've never been in an abusive relationship before, so..

Can I just say???.................. I don't believe a word of it. Maybe it's just me?

Hijab and modesty aren't only for women. What do your men do to not be attractive to other women?

He cuts all his flippin curls off!!!!

You're right though and this ticks me off about a lot of men.... you'll see women covered up head to toe at the store and her husband wearing shorts and tight tank tops! That really gets my goat!

My hubby doesn't wear shorts outside, even though most of his shorts come below his knee anyway. When I asked him why he doesn't wear the long shorts outside he said because it isn't fair to me when I'm all covered up and he's in shorts. He also wouldn't be caught dead outside or in front of anyone other me with no shirt or in a shirt with no sleeves. He also doesn't wear short shirts anymore because I gets jealous

He likes to wear his traditional clothes and I like when he does but he's shy to wear it in public here unless we're going to the masjid. I guess he's scared the American men will tease him about wearing a dress....

He also leaves his beard and doesn't shave.

Why is it that my maternity leave which is 2 weeks away seems further away than the due date?

Are you taking the standard 6/8 weeks off with pay or the full 6mo/1yr without pay?

There is really no standard here in California. I can take short term disability for up to 90 days. If I am still unable to work for medical reasons, then I can take long term disability. After that, I can take Family leave.

As it stands right now, I am taking leave when I am 36 weeks. Then I will take approx 6-8 weeks after depending on my Dr's reccomendation.

I didn't realize it varied from state to state.... that's interesting..... but sucks for you In NC and SC (and I thought everywhere else) you can take 6 to 8 weeks and get short term disability from your job for maternity leave.... then you can opt to extend it to 6 months to a year (depending on your employer) without pay.

No it actually does vary by state. I don't see what sucks about it though. As it is right now, I'm getting 10-12 weeks of leave at 75% of my pay untaxed. After that I can still take Family leave at 55% of my pay for an additional 6 weeks. Taking 6 months - 1 year off unpaid is not an option for me.

Ok, I'm having a duh moment.... 90 days is a long time huh? lol that just didn't register when I read it first time. I don't know why I was thinking more like three weeks instead of three months when I read it

Why is it that my maternity leave which is 2 weeks away seems further away than the due date?

Are you taking the standard 6/8 weeks off with pay or the full 6mo/1yr without pay?

There is really no standard here in California. I can take short term disability for up to 90 days. If I am still unable to work for medical reasons, then I can take long term disability. After that, I can take Family leave.

As it stands right now, I am taking leave when I am 36 weeks. Then I will take approx 6-8 weeks after depending on my Dr's reccomendation.

I didn't realize it varied from state to state.... that's interesting..... but sucks for you In NC and SC (and I thought everywhere else) you can take 6 to 8 weeks and get short term disability from your job for maternity leave.... then you can opt to extend it to 6 months to a year (depending on your employer) without pay.

perfect wife

What is that excatly? Not being a smart ### comment, but really interested to know what a perfect wife is?

I'm sure one factor may be not to continuously bash the culture/ethnicity of the person you're married to on a public forum....

You know....I would venture to say that first off...there is no such thing as a perfect wife or husband. Secondly, whatever anyone's idea is of perfect should definitly have nothing to do with the the internet or a public forum.

I think it's pretty safe to say that ppl post how they really feel on public forums. If I posted on VJ about how all or most Arab men use American women for GCs or abuse them, I wouldn't be too surpirsed when me and my Arab husband didn't get along.... seeing as how it seems I don't like or trust Arab men in general very much from my postings on the public forums....

perfect wife

What is that excatly? Not being a smart ### comment, but really interested to know what a perfect wife is?

I'm sure one factor may be not to continuously bash the culture/ethnicity of the person you're married to on a public forum....

Why is it that my maternity leave which is 2 weeks away seems further away than the due date?

Are you taking the standard 6/8 weeks off with pay or the full 6mo/1yr without pay?

I would think that a man would want their wife to look good when he's out with her.

Not mine. He doesn't want other men looking at me or flirting with me nor does he have any desire to show me off like I'm on display. He's quite jealous and protective of me.

I also don't consider myself "ugly" without makeup so it's not like when I go out with him he's with some kind of hideous monster Makeup, hair color and hair bows are just that little something extra to make me feel like a princess for my prince

We don't go out a lot where men and women mix anyway....

Anything that enhances ur beauty actually doesnt comply with the meaning of hijab -not attracting men to look at u- but i do add some concealor but i make sure not to add any colors to my face or make it attractive. On the other hand i do wear makeup at home; dress nice n im always looking my best

Once again I'm a bit confused. So you're not supposed to look pretty as a women when you go out in public? I guess I'm reverse. I don't wear make-up at home because I don't see the need and I wear make-up in public so I don't scare the neighbors.

No, the point of modesty in dress is not to look beautiful for non-related men.

nope u still have to wash ur face coz its exposed to the elements. yeah ur feets are fine if u've been wearing socks and have not gotten them dirty (aka going outside sock footed etc).

Ah well, I dont' wear makeup anyway - was just curious

What I really want to know is if there is a place I can order those sleeves online.

I have some, but they are white and I wear them 5 days a week to work and they are slowly turning a greyish color and it's been almost 1 yr. I'm about to switch jobs so maby I could get another 2 white ones and some colored for when I have to wear office clothes and business suites (wearing a chef's uniform right now)

U can prolly find'em cheaper than I got mine. Mine were 5 dollars for 2 pair. There's a shop about what...10 or 15 minutes from my place and I'm all sortsa happy to have been led to it via VP. Thanks

I'm sure u can gettem online but can't remember where exactly. Mine go up to the elbows, not all the way up the arm.

If she gave them to you for 2/$5 that's really a pretty awesome price and you're not likely to find them any cheaper on the internet unless you can find someone selling them used or in lots or something.

This Ebay store has them Crescent City Egypt and you can find them on pretty much any Islamic clothing website under accessories inshallah.

If they're too expensive with shipping at those sites maybe Amal or I could pick them up for the price she got them for here and mail them to you inshallah.

Amal, can you please show a picture of these gauntlets? I keep thinking of something from the midevil times when I think of a gauntlet.

The arm sleeves Amal got were a little different than those. Hers are a polyster blend that's breathable and keeps your arms cool. Plus they don't do over the elbow so they only cover the forearm and they have lace at the wrists. I'll try to post a pic I found online but the "high-speed internet" at this hotel is anything but and it's getting on my nerves......

Ok here's that pic