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lion_lioness

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Posts posted by lion_lioness

    obama the new president

    in Middle East and North Africa

    Posted

    Well since Obama didn't start this war to begin with, the outcome is not his fault. As President, he is going to have to listen to the ppl (and the house/congress), and if that majority says to withdraw, that's what will be done. I understand the fear, too bad the people couldn't make a difference to begin with. I didn't go to Iraq per se, but Jordan is just a hop, skip and a jump, I know/met enough Iraqi's to understand. However, now that we created the mess, we'll have to see what happens.

    On a side note, I know quite a few people from Iraq that will probably never return home and out of those few some that actually made enough money to live a better life than me. Alot went on there. We never had any business.....

    Ok I'm done.

    Erroneous thinking: The President doesn't have to listen to "the people" when it comes to war. It is his enumerated duty to be the commander in chief, provide security for the country, and conduct a war in the manner he sees fit. This is not a matter of popular opinion. It goes much deeper than that.

    Obama is an idjit, and we will find out how much of one by the way he conducts the war. He has blown a lot of hot air about it, but now, he will have to put his money where his big mouth has been, and it will be different from the bravado he's been spewing, and the outcome will definitely be his responsibility. He can't blame Bush for everything and command respect. He's going to be the one making the call.

    VW,

    Absolutely, I agree. My statement was more along the lines of if he doesn't step up (for whatever the reasons). But isn't it also true that on many things the President has to have house/congress approval? He can veto, but rarely have Presidents done that. Let's hope he does step up and make the call though as you said.

    obama the new president

    in Middle East and North Africa

    Posted

    Well since Obama didn't start this war to begin with, the outcome is not his fault. As President, he is going to have to listen to the ppl (and the house/congress), and if that majority says to withdraw, that's what will be done. I understand the fear, too bad the people couldn't make a difference to begin with. I didn't go to Iraq per se, but Jordan is just a hop, skip and a jump, I know/met enough Iraqi's to understand. However, now that we created the mess, we'll have to see what happens.

    On a side note, I know quite a few people from Iraq that will probably never return home and out of those few some that actually made enough money to live a better life than me. Alot went on there. We never had any business.....

    Ok I'm done.

    Have any one got married just 3 monthes after a divorce?

    in Middle East and North Africa

    Posted

    To the OP, in my opinion you will have a hard time. The fact that you have known your new wife since childhood could almost sound like this was planned. What I find odd isn't necessarily the quickie marriage after divorce, but the fact that you've known this woman and her family. (I'll stop adding my two cents now before it gets ugly) Also, the timing on when you and your ex separated (just in time for citizenship). It sounds suspicious, but only God knows, so I'll wish you the best. However, you better cross all your T's and dot all I's.

    As of fraud in general - it sux and happens with all countries. Unfortunately, most times I hear about it - it's mena and the US citizen is female. (However, the phillippines may have Mena beat - I don't know stats there). Anyway, I guess it could happen to any one of us. I'd be d@#$%% if I would let it go easily though.

    every one who went through Amman

    in Middle East and North Africa

    Posted

    Hi Lisa,

    My husband interview 5-10-07 and had his visa in hand 5-24-07. His first/last name isn't too common, but he also served on the police force for a year and i don't know if that helped to speed it up or not (limit the time the needed to spend on background??? I'm speculating). All in all the average is under a month - there are some/few exceptions.

    Best,

    check in time - who are you, hows it going and just saying hi thread

    in Middle East and North Africa

    Posted

    Hello all,

    I post here and there, but more of an 'old schooler' probably. My husband is from Jordan and have been here for about 18 months. Adjustment was rough - lots rough spot - good times! He has been working with the same company since July 07 and is doing really well there. He is now researching schools so he can start college in January. I already have a son and we are not in a rush for more kids right now - so not sure when/if that will happen. Then again, it is what God wills....

    Welcome to all the new members.

    I wanna go to Jordan

    in Middle East and North Africa

    Posted · Edited by lion_lioness

    I have had to update my passport twice - you get the old ones back (but they put a hole in it to show it's an old/unused passport). For my son, I had an oooollld letter from his dad and that was good enough. I don't even think it was notarized.

    I think it's a great idea and a really nice gift :)

    Worried (like always)

    in Middle East and North Africa

    Posted

    Salam walaikom sister.... I can understand how you feel. I took my shahada 3 years ago. The first year I didn't cover in ramadan, nor the second year. The third year I started ramadan in Jordan and refused to take off my hijab for the remaining of the holy month. So the first week back in the office I did it by degree. First my covering, as-a-matter-of-fact/loosely, then just in a bun and finally the correct way. I made sure not to schedule client meetings in that time. Of course right after ramadan that year I had to travel so i took off my hijab. Two years ago I went to work for a Jewish-owned company, but let them know my religion, pushed for a private prayer room and all. I don't wear hijab traditionally during ramadan, instead I pull it back in a bun (loved Rahma's suggestion) and when I go to visit friends or on weekends wear it normally. Since our family relies on my career heavily, I pray and do what is needed.

    I know that doesn't help, but sister know you are not alone. God bless you for even caring so much that is weighing deeply on your heart. Inshallah it will all work out.

    Muslims

    in Middle East and North Africa

    Posted

    tt1916244fltt.gif

    You rock Noura! :thumbs:

    Something else for the new Muslims:

    I have on occasion come across Muslims who are sincere but ignorant of some of the finer points of Islamic lifestyle according to the traditions of the Holy Prophet (may Peace and Blessings be upon him). This however, is easy to do in this day and age where there are so many forgotten traditions of the Holy Prophet which if we saw today we may think they are some strange bidat! One of these forgotten traditions is one of the most basic and fundamental elements of our dear religion, the Islamic greeting. The Islamic greeting, es-salaamu ‘aleikum; God’s Peace be upon you, is an element of good Islamic manners. In the proper conduct of greetings one may find keys to good social behavior and the proprieties of friendship and exchanges in Islamic framings. God says in the Qur’an (BismillaharRahmanirRahim),

    “When you are greeted with a greeting, greet with better than it or return it. Allah takes count of all things”. (004:086)

    So clearly it is preferred to return a greeting by adding to it. But there have been so many times where I have greeted a Muslim and received no greeting at all! And perhaps times where a Muslim has greeted me and received only an equal greeting in return, or worse. These days we greet people we know, and only people we know. When we receive a greeting from someone we don’t know we are silent looking oddly as if someone has violated an unwritten code of ethics. But this unwritten code of ethics is un-Islamic by nature and egoistic at best.

    One aspect of our Islamic greeting would puzzle me when I first began studying the Arabic language and that was, the fact that we salute a single individual in the the plural saying, es-salaamu ‘aleikum, ‘aleikum implying “upon you all”. This plural pronoun was also used in response. Al-A’mash, Ibrahim an-Nakha’i discussed this item saying,

    “When you salute a single individual, you must say: es-salaamu ‘aleikum [using the pronoun -kum], for the angels are with him.”

    It should be interesting to note that our greeting, seemingly of a simple nature, holds many keys within it. And like other keys or secrets, there are protocols upon their use. For example a hadith, tradition of the Prophet (may Peace and Blessings be upon him), reported in the Sahih of Muslim as narrated by Abu Huraira (may Allah be well pleased with him) says that according to God’s Messenger (may Peace and Blessings be upon him),

    “The rider should salute the walker, the walker the sitter, and the few the many.”

    Shaikh Ahmad Fathu’llah Jami’s Sifat al-Mu’minin (The Attributes of the Believers) gives a clear and concise commentary on this hadith explaining that,

    “He began mentioning the rider, because of his elevated rank, and because pride might otherwise deter him from being the first to salute. The same principle was then applied to the walker [in relation to the sitter]. It has also been said: “Since the sitter is in the state of dignity, calm and composure, he is entitled to that prerogative [of being saluted], rather that the walker, whose state is the opposite.” As for the salutation offered by the few to the many, it is a mark of respect for the majority of Muslims. As recorded by al-Bukhari, this Prophetic tradition includes the addition words:

    “The younger should salute the adult.”

    Another custom of the Holy Prophet (may Peace and Blessings be upon him) is shaking hands while offering salaams. This custom in particular, you will find upon meeting me that I have a fondness for, perhaps to a fault. Today, we must ask ourselves, how much of this, seemingly simple custom are we following? And if we are not what have we adopted in its place? Especially when there is blessing and reward for us in these simple customs. For instance concerning the shaking of hands, the Prophet (may Peace and Blessings be upon him) says,

    “When two Muslims shake hands, their sins fall to the ground, as leaves of the tree fall to the ground.”

    MachaAllah! And we pass the opportunity to rid ourselves of sins on a daily basis. Yes, machaAllah to us! There are so many customs for greetings that are lost. But those that we have we should try our best to apply and to raise our children with, to train our children to exercise so that they can benefit from them for generations and not lose these gems, these salutations of the Prophet in later generations. Some of these customs I had never seen in regular life until I attended regular association with a shaykh. Some of which have happened more recently, these customs include:

    • When entering an empty house, you must offer the salutation of peace.
      • You are saluting yourself on Allah’s behalf.
      • You are saluting the believing jinn who occupy the house.
      • Through the blessings of peace, you are seeking safety from the devils and harmful influences present in the house.
      • Custom requires the person who initiates the salutation to be in a state of ritual purity (wudu’) as well as the respondent.
    When two people meet, custom requires them to try and forestall each other in offering the salutation, as a demonstration of humility.So just a reminder for you and for me to give salaams to our fellow Believers and shake hands as a means to attain purity.

    Henia,

    that was a very helpful post - thank you much! it's been 3 years since i reverted and i feel like i'm just touching the surface. i've yet to find a mosque near home where i can converse and learn with other sisters. God willing I will during the holy month.

    thanks again.

    How do I convince my MENA man??

    in Middle East and North Africa

    Posted

    I could be wrong, but why don't you just contact NVC and send in a request to change the consulate for the interview. Back when, my husband was debating going to Turkey (where his mom lives) because we thought Amman would take just way too long. I contacted USCIS/NVC to inquire and the request seemed pretty straight forward. It might hold up your case another few weeks but that's better than missing the interview all together. That is the best compromise IMHO.

    On another note, did he ever tell you he was pursuing spanish residency? Where did it come from or was he there already for a period of time? I wouldn't panick and do something rash, like end my relationship over it, but I would definitely ask questions.

    In the meantime, look into the transfer maybe?

    Frustrating Mena Men

    in Middle East and North Africa

    Posted

    I haven't read all the posts here as I'm at work. However, sometimes the old habits don't die and they are in denial. My husband has had 3 accidents since Nov of 2007. The latest being last week friday. Still he fights and argues with me when I talk about his driving and it's never his fault. I used to own a beautiful 2005 Highlander....

    Maybe it's better that he doesn't drive if he's not going to take it seriously.

    MENA GIRL MEETUP

    in Middle East and North Africa

    Posted

    OK ladies,

    just checking in again for a head count to see who is def coming.... reason being, i got a hold a 4 free tickets to this shimmie on the hudson boat cruise off of pier 40 in manhattan. i went two weeks ago and it was pretty fun. belly dancing hooka, there is alchohol served, but the folks didn't get out of hand at all and most important - lots of arabic music.

    we'd need to meet-up by 6:30p by pier 40 and the sail is from 7p-10p. If you guys aren't into it that's fine too - just let me know.

    AM CONFUSED & WORRIED

    in Middle East and North Africa

    Posted · Edited by lion_lioness

    Salam,

    I'm sure some of the other ladies going through Egypt will be along with advice. However, I've seen people wait anywhere from a few months to over a year waiting for the call on the visa. It's because Egypt does these background checks and name checks. I wouldn't worry just yet. When was ur interview?

    eta: please update your timeline

    MENA MUSIC

    in Middle East and North Africa

    Posted

    Sorry to barge in but are you guys talking Paterson as in NJ??? I was just there last weekend. Who lives nearby and who wants to meet up on our next trip. I go there to the halal markets and for sweets.

    Fattel's has the best lebanese/pita breads too ;)

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