To Missy

Submitted by Yasmina (United States), Dec 8, 2008 at 21:45

First, I am happily married to a Moroccan and have been for years. Second, I am Muslim and you are terribly misinformed about Muslims and Islam. You are really doing yourself a disservice by trying to speak about it.

People are not Islamic; people are Muslim. Islamic people is like saying people are Oriental.

There are conservative Sunnis and Shia. Shia, as a rule, are not more conservative than Sunni. The Taliban are Sunni Muslims, not Shia as you stated.

Another mistake - Ali is the nephew of the Prophet, not the son. Your understanding of the differences between Shia and Sunni is terribly lacking too. Sunnis have TONS of respect for Ali. The divide between Shia and Sunni isn't about who their Prophet (not profit like you have it spelled) is; both Shia and Sunni respect the same Prophets, and neither consider Ali a prophet. Shia and Sunni had a difference of opinion over who should have been the first caliph after the Prophet died - Shia felt it should have been the Prophet's nephew Ali, Sunnis chose Abu Bakr.

There are ABSOLUTELY conservative Sunni Muslims. What do you think is going on in Saudi Arabia? There are TONS of Sunni Muslims who fully cover, as well as tons who don't cover at all. The same is true for Shia. It is absolute nonsense to make a distinction that Shias cover more than Sunnis as if it is some rule.

As far as women not traveling alone without a close male relative - again, Saudi Arabia and Sunni Muslims, as well as a lot of places. You can even find families that practice that in Morocco, as well as families who are fine with their daughters going out as they wish.

You are right that no one can know your online boyfriend's intentions, but your age difference definitely should raise some red flags with you. Also, you are out of your mind if you pay $1800 for a laywer to process your visa. You visit your boyfriend and you can file a K-1 fiance visa petition on your own and it will cost you less than $400.

And seriously, if you are still married and pursuing another relationship, your mom has every right to question your judgment. It doesn't mean you cannot make a sound decision, but it does indicate that you aren't using the best judgment and that means you may not be seeing things for what they are. And since you seem to think you know a lot about Islam, than you should know a mother's revered status in Islam, that we are taught paradise is at our mother's feet. You may not like what your mother is doing but you should show her respect. I think your mom is misguided and wrong to post on here, but clearly she is concerned for you.

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