Muslims

[SaadBell 0]

Don’t forget about children in the states who go to bed at night hungry, I worked in the system and can say that a lot of children in the states are alone and not cared for, by anyone. Other industrialized nations have lower poverty rates because they seek to prevent hardship by providing assistance to all families. These supports include “child allowances” (typically cash supplements), child care assistance, health coverage, paid family leave, and other supports that help offset the cost of raising children.

But the U.S. takes a different policy approach. Our nation does little to assist low-income working families unless they hit rock bottom. And then, such families are eligible only for means-tested benefits that tend to be highly stigmatized; most families who need help receive little or none.

In addition to the harmful consequences for children, high rates of economic hardship exact a serious toll on the U.S. economy. Economists estimate that child poverty costs the U.S. $500 billion a year in lost productivity in the labor force and spending on health care and the criminal justice system. Each year, child poverty reduces productivity and economic output by about 1.3 percent of GDP.

The experience of severe or chronic economic hardship limits children’s potential and hinders our nation’s ability to compete in the global economy. American students, on average, rank behind students in other industrialized nations, particularly in their understanding of math and science. Analysts warn that America’s ability to compete globally will be severely hindered if many of our children are not as academically prepared as their peers in other nations.

Research also indicates that economic inequality in America has been on the rise since the 1970s. Income inequality has reached historic levels—the income share of the top 1 percent of earners is at its highest level since 1929. In 2007, income increased by about $180,000 for the top 1 percent of Americans, by $400 for middle-income Americans, and $200 for lower-income Americans.

Economic mobility—the likelihood of moving from one income group to another—is on the decline in the U.S. Although Americans like to believe that opportunity is equally available to all, some groups find it harder to get ahead than others. Striving African American families have found upward mobility especially difficult to achieve and are far more vulnerable than whites to downward mobility. The wealth gap between blacks and whites—black families have been found to have one-tenth the net worth of white families—is largely responsible.

What all of these trends reveal is that the American Dream is increasingly out of reach for many families. The promise that hard work and determination will be rewarded has become an increasingly empty promise in 21st century America. It is in the best interest of our nation to see that the American Dream, an ideal so fundamental to our collective identity, be restored.

[Balogun4ever 1]

Salam,

Just thought a chat for Muslims would be helpful. I am constantly wondering if that may come up on the radar for the approval and if that may delay but alas it doesn't help to worry about such things as there is nothing I can change I am who I am Hamdolah. Looking for the support of others facing the same challenges or anyone interested in participating... all are welcome to chime in

.

My husband is muslim and currently on AP in Lagos Nigeria. They have had us there for over a year now. They state they are validating the marriage yet no one in his family has been contacted. How are they investigating then? They have the original certificate of marriage. I swear they are after something else...Sad that a country that is considered "FREE" can hold us hostage like this. Some of his friends say this is all because they realized he is Muslim. I would hope not as that is assuming all Muslims are bad and we all know that is not true of any race or religion. I will pray for u all to be with the ones u love. Take care.

[nunyab 0]

Salam,

Just thought a chat for Muslims would be helpful. I am constantly wondering if that may come up on the radar for the approval and if that may delay but alas it doesn't help to worry about such things as there is nothing I can change I am who I am Hamdolah. Looking for the support of others facing the same challenges or anyone interested in participating... all are welcome to chime in

.

My husband is muslim and currently on AP in Lagos Nigeria. They have had us there for over a year now. They state they are validating the marriage yet no one in his family has been contacted. How are they investigating then? They have the original certificate of marriage. I swear they are after something else...Sad that a country that is considered "FREE" can hold us hostage like this. Some of his friends say this is all because they realized he is Muslim. I would hope not as that is assuming all Muslims are bad and we all know that is not true of any race or religion. I will pray for u all to be with the ones u love. Take care.

I am sorry to hear of your torment... I hope that will end soon and I hope all of us will be reunited soon.

[sara..... 371]

Salam,

Just thought a chat for Muslims would be helpful. I am constantly wondering if that may come up on the radar for the approval and if that may delay but alas it doesn't help to worry about such things as there is nothing I can change I am who I am Hamdolah. Looking for the support of others facing the same challenges or anyone interested in participating... all are welcome to chime in

.

My husband is muslim and currently on AP in Lagos Nigeria. They have had us there for over a year now. They state they are validating the marriage yet no one in his family has been contacted. How are they investigating then? They have the original certificate of marriage. I swear they are after something else...Sad that a country that is considered "FREE" can hold us hostage like this. Some of his friends say this is all because they realized he is Muslim. I would hope not as that is assuming all Muslims are bad and we all know that is not true of any race or religion. I will pray for u all to be with the ones u love. Take care.

Im really sorry to hear this i will pray for u guys i hope u get the approval for visa very soon

sara

[palilover 1]

Salam,

Just thought a chat for Muslims would be helpful. I am constantly wondering if that may come up on the radar for the approval and if that may delay but alas it doesn't help to worry about such things as there is nothing I can change I am who I am Hamdolah. Looking for the support of others facing the same challenges or anyone interested in participating... all are welcome to chime in

.

My husband is muslim and currently on AP in Lagos Nigeria. They have had us there for over a year now. They state they are validating the marriage yet no one in his family has been contacted. How are they investigating then? They have the original certificate of marriage. I swear they are after something else...Sad that a country that is considered "FREE" can hold us hostage like this. Some of his friends say this is all because they realized he is Muslim. I would hope not as that is assuming all Muslims are bad and we all know that is not true of any race or religion. I will pray for u all to be with the ones u love. Take care.

I'm sorry to hear about this. I hope you wo can be reunited soon.

H

[Henia 11]

Salam,

Just thought a chat for Muslims would be helpful. I am constantly wondering if that may come up on the radar for the approval and if that may delay but alas it doesn't help to worry about such things as there is nothing I can change I am who I am Hamdolah. Looking for the support of others facing the same challenges or anyone interested in participating... all are welcome to chime in

.

My husband is muslim and currently on AP in Lagos Nigeria. They have had us there for over a year now. They state they are validating the marriage yet no one in his family has been contacted. How are they investigating then? They have the original certificate of marriage. I swear they are after something else...Sad that a country that is considered "FREE" can hold us hostage like this. Some of his friends say this is all because they realized he is Muslim. I would hope not as that is assuming all Muslims are bad and we all know that is not true of any race or religion. I will pray for u all to be with the ones u love. Take care.

Esalaam,

I will make dua for you and your husband! Enchallah there is always a light at the end of the dark tunnel!

[nunyab 0]

Ladies... how do you communicate with your MENA man if you're state side and how often??

[Henia 11]

Esalaamu Aleikoum,

Well when I was in the States, in the beginning (when not married) we basically communicated by weekly/bi-weekly Internet conversations. But after we got married, we dove into the whole phone, SMS, IM/webcam bit! We talked everyday I believe! We had some type of communcation on a daily basis I do remember that! Boy, do I (and him) NOT miss those bills!

[palilover 1]

Esalaamu Aleikoum,

Well when I was in the States, in the beginning (when not married) we basically communicated by weekly/bi-weekly Internet conversations. But after we got married, we dove into the whole phone, SMS, IM/webcam bit! We talked everyday I believe! We had some type of communcation on a daily basis I do remember that! Boy, do I (and him) NOT miss those bills!

I cannot wait to stop paying $400 phone bills! Phone cards too much of a pain in the butt (misrouting calls to Palestine) and I'm not home enough to use vonage:( I have to use my cell phone on the go:( I've decided (havent told him this yet) that his first paycheck is going to pay for my phone bill, lol

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

I cannot wait to stop paying $400 phone bills! Phone cards too much of a pain in the butt (misrouting calls to Palestine) and I'm not home enough to use vonage:( I have to use my cell phone on the go:( I've decided (havent told him this yet) that his first paycheck is going to pay for my phone bill, lol

What phone card are you using ? My husband and I talked every day -- always for more than an hour and sometimes for several -- and the bill was never that high ! I may have some suggestions that could save you some money.

-MK

[sarahaziz 0]

extracheapphonecards.com try it and see if you like it

[sarahaziz 0]

we've talked everyday every single day. If there was connection problems he'd travel to another city or stay awake till 3 am over there. I swear the wait is soooooooooo worth it!!

[palilover 1]

we've talked everyday every single day. If there was connection problems he'd travel to another city or stay awake till 3 am over there. I swear the wait is soooooooooo worth it!!

I used to use phone cards off of stiphonecards.com They started misrouting calls so I'd wake up some poor Israeli people I've been just using my verizon cell phone now. I get rates for .20 a minute if I pay verizon $3/month. I switched for a while though to use virgin mobile phone (he left his cell here since it would not work in paletine). But even so we'd go through phone cards every other day. It's a pain:(

[Alhamdulillah 0]

I get rates for .20 a minute if I pay verizon $3/month.

WOW that's awesome!!!

[nunyab 0]

yeah jut got my last phone bill wayyyyyy too much (I don't think I'll post it here... HI baby if you read this ) I really like to talk to him on the phone once a week but we do see eachother via msn Im daily.. i really miss him but appreciate hearing and seeing him anyway I can.