My story...... open your eyes.... good and bad.

Submitted by EMMYRA (United States), Jan 20, 2008 at 15:09

My name is Emmyra I am hispanic and married a Tunisian man in 2003 in Europe. I live in the U.S. and prior to our marriage I CLEARLY stated to him that I would not give him any american papers because I was not going to be in for that game. I was then a Lutheran and married a Muslim. Alright. He respected my religion and I respected his. I had studied Islam for many many years prior to marrying him so I was not so naive about their ideology.

Did we clash? very much. He was not a practicing Muslim and there were so so many things wrong in him. He was a typical liar, macho, sneaky and loved money. Did he steal money from me? Not only money but belongings as well. My divorce cost me over $60,000 U.S. Dollars. My liberty has no price so I closed hat chapter of my life.

I have been through very rough experiences however, 2 years after I divorced my ex husband, I converted to Islam on my own. I needed spiritual guidance and I found it. My life is not perfect however, I have become much more strong in many other aspects of my own self.

I do understand the things that I as a woman a Westerner did wrong in my marriage. I do understand the things he did wrong as a Muslim since I know have deepened much more into Islam and can comprehend the laws of Al Shari'a.

Western Woman: pay attention to what I will say as I am a Western Woman myself. Before getting involved with a Muslim you must understand Islam is essential in a Muslim's life. Islam is based on the laws of Al Shari'a and whether these men that you all talk about are practicing Muslims or not.... they are Muslims and their offspring will be Muslim whether you like it or not. There are exceptions and that is a child that is conceived and born outside of marriage, then that child is not the man's responsibility. That's why you see hundreds and thousands of women who are involved with Muslim men and then they take off and it was nice knowing you!

Women! There is good and bad in every race. Muslim men are not the only ones. I can sit here and talk about so so so many things with you all. I can tell you wonderful things about Muslim men... and horrible things about them as well. Beautiful things about American men and horrible things about them too. Beautiful things about Hispanic Lovers and horrible things as well.........

Please understand Islam, that will be the key to many of your questions, not only Islam in its entirety but Al Shari'a (Islamic Law) and the Hadiths (the practice of daily life of Prophet Mohamed, SAW, (peace be upon him).

I am not here to preach and tell you to convert to Islam, however I do invite you to take a look at Islam so you can understand the ideology and the behavior of these men.

Women have rights in Islam, however, she must be firm and exercise them. Not everything you hear is really the truth. There is abuse in every corner of the world. Men abuse women, women abuse men,men abuse men,women abuse women, men abuse children, wifes, mother, etc... the list is endless...

There are good men out there. There are bad men as well. My best advice to you all is to know the person well. to communicate, to observe his actions/her actions and then decide. This is for Muslim men and non Muslim men.

I encourage you all as women to look within yourselves and examine what is missing in your lives before engaging in a romantic relationship with someone. Please take your time. Don't listen to only beautiful words.... Words are taken by the wind.... Listen to your eyes... his/her actions... that counts much more than just words.

As salaam Aleekum.

My best to all of you. Guide yourselves by your own judgement, not anyone else's. Read all the stories you want, all the good. All the bad. Make your own conclusions thereafter.

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