Freedom of Movement in the MENA Countries?

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

i will tell you something ,maybe you will not believe it . American people are so powerful more than Egyptian people in Egypt . and they even have rights more than Egyptian people their selves .

My husband tells me that ALL THE TIME!!!

Olivia, I was implying that I'd seek out an American expat living in Egypt who is married to an Egyptian, not an Egyptian expat living in US married to an American.

I know and I was pointing out two possible American Expats living Egypt, however several former American Expats who lived in Egypt did respond such as Tasha, and Jeanne. I know there are a few more that have as well before me and I wish they would also respond.

Bridget and Tamara are both formerly American Expats in Egypt to name a few.

Why the heck would I help you after you completely trashed me on expats? Geesh do you NOT KNOW that it is a public forum?

Bridget and Tamara are both formerly American Expats in Egypt to name a few.

maybe I am wrong but I dont think Bridget ever lived in Egypt. Visiting for a few weeks doesnt make one an expat.....

Yeah I was there all of a total of 18 days. whoop-dee-doo.

whoop de dooo?LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

i will tell you something ,maybe you will not believe it . American people are so powerful more than Egyptian people in Egypt . and they even have rights more than Egyptian people their selves .

My husband tells me that ALL THE TIME!!!

Olivia, I was implying that I'd seek out an American expat living in Egypt who is married to an Egyptian, not an Egyptian expat living in US married to an American.

I know and I was pointing out two possible American Expats living Egypt, however several former American Expats who lived in Egypt did respond such as Tasha, and Jeanne. I know there are a few more that have as well before me and I wish they would also respond.

Bridget and Tamara are both formerly American Expats in Egypt to name a few.

Why the heck would I help you after you completely trashed me on expats? Geesh do you NOT KNOW that it is a public forum?

Bridget and Tamara are both formerly American Expats in Egypt to name a few.

maybe I am wrong but I dont think Bridget ever lived in Egypt. Visiting for a few weeks doesnt make one an expat.....

Yeah I was there all of a total of 18 days. whoop-dee-doo.

whats the expats web address.. I forgot and went last time using the link

[Nothing1234 2]

i will tell you something ,maybe you will not believe it . American people are so powerful more than Egyptian people in Egypt . and they even have rights more than Egyptian people their selves .

My husband tells me that ALL THE TIME!!!

Olivia, I was implying that I'd seek out an American expat living in Egypt who is married to an Egyptian, not an Egyptian expat living in US married to an American.

I know and I was pointing out two possible American Expats living Egypt, however several former American Expats who lived in Egypt did respond such as Tasha, and Jeanne. I know there are a few more that have as well before me and I wish they would also respond.

Bridget and Tamara are both formerly American Expats in Egypt to name a few.

Why the heck would I help you after you completely trashed me on expats? Geesh do you NOT KNOW that it is a public forum?

Bridget and Tamara are both formerly American Expats in Egypt to name a few.

maybe I am wrong but I dont think Bridget ever lived in Egypt. Visiting for a few weeks doesnt make one an expat.....

Yeah I was there all of a total of 18 days. whoop-dee-doo.

whats the expats web address.. I forgot and went last time using the link

I'm on my mobile right now. Off the top of my head, expatgroups.com.

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

I tried to go to the forum and it didnt work. Can someone post a link?

[Nothing1234 2]

I tried to go to the forum and it didnt work. Can someone post a link?

Did you do www.? Its the correct site.

www.expatgroups.com

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Also, Olivia my husband said if you move to Egypt remember us if you ever need legal help. He has lots of fellow attorney friends that live all over Egypt and he could hook you up with one if ever need be. I pray that you will never need one though...

A Wife

This article has been widely atributed to a lecture given by Sheikh Abdullah Adhami, but I have been informed that he is not the actual author, so for now it is, Author Unknown.

By getting married you are not just getting a wife, you are getting your whole world. From now until the rest of your days your wife will be your partner, your companion, and your best friend.

She will share your moments, your days, and your years. She will share your joys and sorrows, your successes and failures, your dreams and your fears. When you are ill, she will take the best care of you; when you need help, she will do all she can for you; when you have a secret, she will keep it; when you need advice, she will give you the best advice. She will always be with you: when you wake up in the morning the first thing your eyes will see will be hers; during the day, she will be with you, if for some time she is not with you by her physical body, she will be thinking of you, praying for you with all her heart, mind, and soul; when you go to sleep at night, the last thing your eyes will see will be her; and when you are asleep you will still see her in your dreams. In short, she will be your whole world and you will be her whole world.

The best description that I personally have ever read describing the closeness of the spouses to each other is the Qur'anic verse which says: "They are your garments and you are their garments." (Surah Al Baqarah 2:187). Indeed, spouses are like garments to each other because they provide one another with the protection, the comfort, the cover, the support, and the adornment that garments provide to humans. Just imagine a journey in the winter of Alaska without garments! Our spouses provide us with the same level of comfort, protection, cover, and support in the journey of our lives on this earth as garments would do in the Alaskan journey.

The relationship between the spouses is the most amazing of all human relations: the amount of love and affection, intimacy and closeness, mercy and compassion, peace and tranquillity that fills the hearts of the spouses is simply inexplicable. The only rational explanation for these most amazing of all human feelings is that: it is an act of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, "And Allah has made for you Mates (and Companions of your own nature ..." (Surah Al Nahl 16:72)

Only our Almighty Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala in His Infinite Power, Boundless Mercy, and Great Wisdom can create and ingrain these amazing and blessed feelings in the hearts of the spouses. In fact Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is reminding those who search for His signs in the universe that these feelings in the hearts of the spouses are among the signs that should guide humans to His existence as He says in the Qur'an, "And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you may dwell in tranquillity with them and He has put love and mercy between your hearts: verily in that are signs for those who reflect." (Surah Al Rum 30:21)

But Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala knows that the human heart is not a static entity, it is sometimes weak and at times dynamic. Feelings can and do change with time. Love may wither and fade away. The marital bond might weaken if not properly cared for. Happiness in marriage cannot be taken for granted; continuous happiness requires constant giving from both sides. For the tree of marital love to remain alive and keep growing, the soil has to be sustained, maintained, watered and nurtured.

Remember that our Prophet Muhammad Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam had found the time to go out to the desert and race with his wife Aisha. She outran him but later after she had gained some weight, he outran her. Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam took his wife to watch the young Ethiopians playing and dancing their folk dances. The show of emotions is necessary to keep the marital bond away from rusting and disintegrating. Remember that you will be rewarded by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala for any emotions you show to your wife as the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam said "One would be rewarded for anything that he does seeking the pleasure of Allah even the food that he puts in the mouth of his wife"

Never underestimate the importance of seemingly little things as putting food in your wife's mouth, opening the car door for her, etc. Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam used to extend his knee to his wife to assist her up to ride the camel.

Try to always find some time for both of you to pray together. Strengthening the bond between you and Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is the best guarantee that your own marital bond would always remain strong. Having peace with Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala will always result in having more peace at home.

Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam gave glad tidings for those couples who wake up at night to pray together. The Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam even urged the spouse who rises up first to wake the other spouse up, even by splashing cold water on his/her face.

Always try your best to be good to your wife by words and by deeds. Talk to her, smile to her, seek her advice, ask for her opinion, spend quality time with her and always remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam said, "The best of you are those who are best to their wives"

Finally, it is common that spouses vow to love and honor their spouses until death do them part. I do believe that this vow is good or even great, but not enough! It is not enough that you love your wife. You have to love what she loves as well. Her family, her loved ones must also become your loved ones. Don't be like my colleague who was unhappy about his wife's parents coming to visit for few weeks. He candidly said to her "I don't like your parents." Naturally she angrily looked at him straight in the eye and said, "I don't like yours either." Also, it is not enough that you love her until death do you part. Love should never end and we do believe there is life after death where those who did righteousness in this world will be joined by their spouses (Surah Al Zukhruf 43:70) and offsprings.

The best example in this regard is the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam whose love for Khadija, his wife of 25 years, extended to include all those she loved; this love of his continued even after her death. It was many years after her death and he never forgot her and whenever a goat was slaughtered in his house he would send portions of it to Khadija's family and friends and whenever he felt that the visitor at the door might be Khadija's sister Hala, he would pray saying, "O Allah let it be Hala."

Thanks VW...I love your post.

I know this is 4 months later but I just re-read this whole thread and wanted to thank you all for your help. This is all very good information. Tasha I'll keep the lawyer thing in mind. And BW thanks for this post too. It was a good read along with the other information ppl passed along. It all put me more at ease for accepting the leap of moving there for sometime.

IHQ-67 days and counting!

Also wanted to make a note the friend of mine married to the Jordanian in my OP wrote me and said that the 20% control of her freedom of movement while she was in Jordan wasn't exactly what she meant and that it was misrepresenting her. I think to this day I still don't understand fully what she meant maybe but I am thankful for everyone indulging my curiosity and kindly answering my questions over here.

[Tunis2 0]

As an American, or a Canadian, or a British citizen, or whatever, in a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of the foreign country. No exemptions even if you hold a different passport. And if you break the laws of that country, even if they don't make sense with your cultural identity in your country of origin, your embassy really cannot do much except get you a list of lawyers and maybe visit you in jail.

[Aymsgirl 0]

Also, Olivia my husband said if you move to Egypt remember us if you ever need legal help. He has lots of fellow attorney friends that live all over Egypt and he could hook you up with one if ever need be. I pray that you will never need one though...

A Wife

This article has been widely atributed to a lecture given by Sheikh Abdullah Adhami, but I have been informed that he is not the actual author, so for now it is, Author Unknown.

By getting married you are not just getting a wife, you are getting your whole world. From now until the rest of your days your wife will be your partner, your companion, and your best friend.

She will share your moments, your days, and your years. She will share your joys and sorrows, your successes and failures, your dreams and your fears. When you are ill, she will take the best care of you; when you need help, she will do all she can for you; when you have a secret, she will keep it; when you need advice, she will give you the best advice. She will always be with you: when you wake up in the morning the first thing your eyes will see will be hers; during the day, she will be with you, if for some time she is not with you by her physical body, she will be thinking of you, praying for you with all her heart, mind, and soul; when you go to sleep at night, the last thing your eyes will see will be her; and when you are asleep you will still see her in your dreams. In short, she will be your whole world and you will be her whole world.

The best description that I personally have ever read describing the closeness of the spouses to each other is the Qur'anic verse which says: "They are your garments and you are their garments." (Surah Al Baqarah 2:187). Indeed, spouses are like garments to each other because they provide one another with the protection, the comfort, the cover, the support, and the adornment that garments provide to humans. Just imagine a journey in the winter of Alaska without garments! Our spouses provide us with the same level of comfort, protection, cover, and support in the journey of our lives on this earth as garments would do in the Alaskan journey.

The relationship between the spouses is the most amazing of all human relations: the amount of love and affection, intimacy and closeness, mercy and compassion, peace and tranquillity that fills the hearts of the spouses is simply inexplicable. The only rational explanation for these most amazing of all human feelings is that: it is an act of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, "And Allah has made for you Mates (and Companions of your own nature ..." (Surah Al Nahl 16:72)

Only our Almighty Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala in His Infinite Power, Boundless Mercy, and Great Wisdom can create and ingrain these amazing and blessed feelings in the hearts of the spouses. In fact Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is reminding those who search for His signs in the universe that these feelings in the hearts of the spouses are among the signs that should guide humans to His existence as He says in the Qur'an, "And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you may dwell in tranquillity with them and He has put love and mercy between your hearts: verily in that are signs for those who reflect." (Surah Al Rum 30:21)

But Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala knows that the human heart is not a static entity, it is sometimes weak and at times dynamic. Feelings can and do change with time. Love may wither and fade away. The marital bond might weaken if not properly cared for. Happiness in marriage cannot be taken for granted; continuous happiness requires constant giving from both sides. For the tree of marital love to remain alive and keep growing, the soil has to be sustained, maintained, watered and nurtured.

Remember that our Prophet Muhammad Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam had found the time to go out to the desert and race with his wife Aisha. She outran him but later after she had gained some weight, he outran her. Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam took his wife to watch the young Ethiopians playing and dancing their folk dances. The show of emotions is necessary to keep the marital bond away from rusting and disintegrating. Remember that you will be rewarded by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala for any emotions you show to your wife as the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam said "One would be rewarded for anything that he does seeking the pleasure of Allah even the food that he puts in the mouth of his wife"

Never underestimate the importance of seemingly little things as putting food in your wife's mouth, opening the car door for her, etc. Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam used to extend his knee to his wife to assist her up to ride the camel.

Try to always find some time for both of you to pray together. Strengthening the bond between you and Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is the best guarantee that your own marital bond would always remain strong. Having peace with Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala will always result in having more peace at home.

Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam gave glad tidings for those couples who wake up at night to pray together. The Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam even urged the spouse who rises up first to wake the other spouse up, even by splashing cold water on his/her face.

Always try your best to be good to your wife by words and by deeds. Talk to her, smile to her, seek her advice, ask for her opinion, spend quality time with her and always remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam said, "The best of you are those who are best to their wives"

Finally, it is common that spouses vow to love and honor their spouses until death do them part. I do believe that this vow is good or even great, but not enough! It is not enough that you love your wife. You have to love what she loves as well. Her family, her loved ones must also become your loved ones. Don't be like my colleague who was unhappy about his wife's parents coming to visit for few weeks. He candidly said to her "I don't like your parents." Naturally she angrily looked at him straight in the eye and said, "I don't like yours either." Also, it is not enough that you love her until death do you part. Love should never end and we do believe there is life after death where those who did righteousness in this world will be joined by their spouses (Surah Al Zukhruf 43:70) and offsprings.

The best example in this regard is the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam whose love for Khadija, his wife of 25 years, extended to include all those she loved; this love of his continued even after her death. It was many years after her death and he never forgot her and whenever a goat was slaughtered in his house he would send portions of it to Khadija's family and friends and whenever he felt that the visitor at the door might be Khadija's sister Hala, he would pray saying, "O Allah let it be Hala."

Thanks VW...I love your post.

I know this is 4 months later but I just re-read this whole thread and wanted to thank you all for your help. This is all very good information. Tasha I'll keep the lawyer thing in mind. And BW thanks for this post too. It was a good read along with the other information ppl passed along. It all put me more at ease for accepting the leap of moving there for sometime.

IHQ-67 days and counting!

Also wanted to make a note the friend of mine married to the Jordanian in my OP wrote me and said that the 20% control of her freedom of movement while she was in Jordan wasn't exactly what she meant and that it was misrepresenting her. I think to this day I still don't understand fully what she meant maybe but I am thankful for everyone indulging my curiosity and kindly answering my questions over here.

You are welcome Olivia. Be careful and you know how to be smart about laws. I have no fears that you will be nothing but just fine. I'm really happy for you that you are getting this opportunity.