Expat and the City

Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa ~ Breakfast and Pool Time

2013-05-21T23:21:00.002+03:00

Time to wake up...

Room with a view.

Breakfast inside the Executive Lounge.

Right side

Left side

The chocolate croissant was my favorite.

Breakfast downstairs in the Garden Café.

Outside seating for the Garden Café.

Walking to the pool.

Friendly Filipino lifeguards at the hotel pool.

The next and last post will cover their beautiful beach overlooking the Arabian Gulf.

Kuwait's Seashells Museum at Yaum Al-Bahaar

2013-05-20T23:18:00.002+03:00

This is the Seashells Museum, also located at Yaum Al-Bahaar (the Sailor's Day Village). You will find lots of cool models of houses and mosques made out of seashells. In addition, historic pictures are on display covering different decades of Kuwait. It seems that this collection/place belonged to the Kuwaiti martyr (1990) Captain Jamal Al-Salem (R.I.P.).

Kuwait's Pearl Diving and Trading Museum at Yaum Al-Bahaar

2013-05-20T21:56:00.000+03:00

This is the Pearl Diving and Trading Museum, located at Yaum Al-Bahaar (Sailor's Day Village). It belongs to Mr. Nawaf Al-Asfour, who preserved tons of traditional items which reflect the heritage of the maritime era of Kuwait. This little museum is open on weekdays only from 6-10:30PM; free admission.

Kuwait's International Music Festival May 20 - 26th

2013-05-20T20:42:00.000+03:00

The opening of the 16th International Music Festival in Kuwait will begin today. The festival will honor Badr Boresly and feature music from Europe and Latin America.

This was translated 'poorly' from Arabic to English and re-posted from the Website [here].You can read more about the festival from KUNA.

International Music Festival takes place XVI in the period between May 20 to 26 this month, and the festival comes over the whole week offers diverse artists and bands from different countries.

And what it is keen always music festival is a tribute to one of the symbols of music each year and who have had a clear imprint in their artistic and Mabivonh career on the Kuwaiti art in all its aspects. This year will be honored songwriter Badr Boresly, one of the poets who gave poetry lyrical Khaleda including "homeland-Nahar", will be honored through the provision of a range of songs, led by maestro Ahmed Hamdan, with the participation of artists Abdullah Ruweished, Suleiman Al-Mulla, Faisal Saad, Sina Knight and Bassam. As evidenced by the festival this year Panorama musical world and hosts teams from several Arab and foreign countries, including: Band Baravonesta Bolivian folk, band Naya women's Jordanian Arabic music, and the band national music of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, and the Task Bernko Krzmanovic folk Serbian, in addition to the night of popular Kuwaiti concert given by Fatuma artist and the artist Solomon Kassar, and the closing ceremony with Music (Alasadjad) composer d. Solomon الديكان. All concerts are held on the stage and start fatty eighth hour and a half with the exception of the Serbian folk band held her concert on the stage of the Kuwait National Museum.

The celebration of the festival comes under the attention of the National Council for Culture, Arts and work on the dissemination and revival of local musical arts and provide an opportunity for the public in Kuwait to follow the musical performances Arab and foreign countries.

It is known that the festival is held annually in conjunction with the International Day of Music and chosen by the French Ministry of Culture and celebrated by the nations of the world on June 21 of each year.

Al Hamra's Night of Traditional Arabian Oud Music

2013-05-19T14:45:00.001+03:00

Jumeirah Kuwait's Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa at Night

2013-05-18T21:47:00.001+03:00

Two second video taken by accident because I thought I was taking a picture. Looool! #DumbBlondeMoment

After dinner at Pepper we walked around the hotel grounds which looked magical all lit up at night.

The villas all face the pool and gardens with direct access to the beach.

I took these with my phone and forgot to turn off the flash...Oops!

The view towards the Arabian Gulf.

Looking back towards the hotel.

Walking by the villas.

A Filipino maid with an adorable Kuwaiti child who was trying her best to jump in the pool. Children must be watched every second without fail because of the location of the beach and pools. The hotel has many Filipino lifeguards on duty but it is the parent's responsibility to watch their children.

Walking to our rooms down the long hallway.

Just in case you need to rest walking the very long hallway.

Back in my room I decided to order a cappuccino with dessert from the children's menu.

The children's menu brownie was really delicious. I will definitely order the same dessert next time.

Bubble bath Heaven before bedtime. <3

Shoebox New York Introduces their UGGs Summer Collection Giveaway of Two RT tickets plus Hotel to Sunny Los Angeles, California!

2013-05-17T19:16:00.001+03:00

Look what arrived from Shoebox NY...

So excited!

LOVE

My baby alligator approves!

Chance to win coupon with baby UGG key chain

The cutest cookie ever <3

Shoebox New York is so excited about the arrival of their all new UGGs summer collection that they're giving two lucky winners a 7-day vacation in sunny Los Angeles, California. The winners will receive round trip tickets and accommodation for a week of absolute fun.

With every purchase of KD25 worth of UGGs at any Shoebox NY there is one chance to participate in this draw.

You can follow Shoebox New York on

Instagram: @shoeboxnykuwait

Twitter: @shoeboxnykuwait

Facebook: facebook.com/shoeboxnykuwait

#CaliDreamSBNY

Thank you Shoebox New York <3

Your Kuwait Civil ID Card: Don't Leave Home Without It!

2013-05-17T13:42:00.001+03:00

U.S. Embassy

Kuwait City, Kuwait
May 16, 2013

Subject: Message for U.S. Citizens 6-2013

Kuwait Police and Immigration Checkpoints

The Ministry of Interior is actively conducting residency status checks throughout Kuwait with increased deployment of static checkpoints at public venues and traffic checkpoints on roadways. The U.S. Embassy reminds all U.S. citizens to carry their Kuwaiti Civil ID and driver’s license. If you are in the process of renewing or obtaining your Kuwaiti Civil ID, carry a photocopy of your passport biographical data page, and Kuwait residency permit or entry visa. As always, carry your mobile phone at all times with the emergency numbers already programmed. Present your documents to police upon request. Checks are conducted quickly if you have the correct documents.

Vehicle checkpoints usually consist of a minimum of two marked police vehicles. Keep in mind that police impersonators have been known to set up unauthorized checkpoints to lure victims, particularly in remote areas of Kuwait. It is advisable to keep your doors locked while driving and to remain aware of your surroundings. If you have the opportunity, contact your employer or a family member and advise them of your location.

Police officers carry identification credentials in both Arabic and English. If you are arrested, contact the U.S. Embassy at 2259-1001 and the operator will transfer you to the consular section during business hours or to the duty officer afterhours. If possible, provide the police uniform color and the police vehicle color and tag number.

U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at the following website: https://step.state.gov. U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at their destination. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

Updated information on travel and security may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). For further information, please consult the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov where the Worldwide Caution and Country Specific Information can be found. In addition, the Embassy encourages U.S. citizens to review "A Safe Trip Abroad," which includes valuable security information for those traveling or living in foreign countries. You can also follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and on Facebook and download our free Smart Traveler App available through iTunes and the Android market to have travel information at your fingertips.

The U.S. Embassy is located at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa Street, Block 6, Plot 14, Bayan, Kuwait. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of emergency assistance in Kuwait, you may reach the U.S. Embassy by calling +965-2259-1001 and requesting the duty officer.

This message may be accessed on the Embassy website, http://kuwait.usembassy.gov. Please note that the Consular Section is closed for U.S. and most local holidays. The current holiday schedule for 2013 is posted on http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/holidays.html

No Morning Treatment at Government Hospitals for Expats in Kuwait

2013-05-17T10:49:00.001+03:00

[Google Image depicting racism in the USA]

Hold that cough until after sundown - Sun sets on morning care in Jahra

Arab Times Re-post [Link] KUWAIT CITY, May 16, 2013 (AFP): Kuwait is to bar foreigners from attending public hospitals in the mornings, local media reported on Thursday, in a decision activists labelled as “racist”. The decision comes after complaints in parliament of Kuwaiti patients having to wait for treatment at public health facilities because of the large number of expatriates. Health Minister Mohammad al-Haifi, who is also a surgeon, ordered that the outpatient clinics at the public hospital in Jahra, west of Kuwait City, will only receive Kuwaiti patients in the morning from June 1.

Foreign residents will be able to receive treatment in the evenings, said the decision published in Kuwaiti media on Thursday. Kuwait is home to 2.6 million foreigners, mostly from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Egypt and Syria, and 1.2 million native Kuwaitis

The new system will be applied at the clinics at Jahra hospital for six months on a “trial basis before its application at other (government) hospitals”. Kuwait provides free medical services to citizens but expats must pay an annual fee of $175 each besides paying reduced charges for certain procedures like x-ray.

Activists in the oil-rich Gulf state condemned the move, and opposition lawyer and writer Mohammad Abdulqader al- Jassem described it as “racial segregation” on Twitter. Similar restrictions are in place at other government agencies such as the traffic department, which handles applications from Kuwaitis only in the morning.

__________________________________________

Map shows world's 'most racist' countries (and the answers may surprise you)

Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Jordan and India named least tolerant countries
U.S., Britain, Canada and South America are among the least racist
Survey asks people if they would want neighbours of a different race

The Middle East, which is currently dealing with large numbers of low-skilled immigrants from south Asia, seems to be a hotbed of racial tension, however.

To read the entire Daily Mail article from yesterday click [here].

Single Girl, Will Travel

2013-05-16T14:03:00.001+03:00

Google Image

Being single again with the freedom to just travel to any international destination I please trumps just about everything. Kuwait is a superb base country to jet off to many new and exciting destinations. The flight time to Europe is so short you could literally go there every weekend.

I'm meeting my German bestie again but this time in Norway. I'm so excited about this vacation I can barely concentrate on my work. Planning my trip is definitely taking the sting out of our breakup. One never knows if there might be a tall, muscular, blonde, sexy, Viking dude in my future.

Jamawar

2013-05-15T10:48:00.000+03:00

A very late post on the blogger’s event at Jamawar that you’ve all been waiting for. I feel so bad that I wasn’t able to do a post sooner! But here it is; better late than never.

I never cared for Indian cuisine as much as I really wanted to, but I went with an open mind and told myself to be very objective while dining at Jamawar. I’m very pleased to report that I actually really enjoyed my meal and the whole experience.

The ambiance of Jamawar is super nice. Decor is Indian themed, and wooden chairs meet tables clothed in red. The service is extremely friendly, courteous, and respectful. Everybody I encountered at Jamawar seems deferential, and truly appreciates their customers.

The menu includes an appetizing array of signature Indian dishes. Before the meal, they brought us some Sweet Lassi (yoghurt blended with cardamon and sugar) and the Indian version of salsa and chips, but in this case it's Papadum and three different dipping sauces. All three sauces are excellent, and a great way to start the meal.

After that we were brought a Raita which is a form of salad made with a variety of vegetables and fruits mixed with yogurt, as well as two appetizers (Vegetable Samosa and Murg Pakora – cubes of chicken dipped in a spiced batter and deep-fried) followed by three “from the mud oven” Tandoori Specialties which were Murg Chilgooza Kebab (boneless chicken with cashew nuts), Boti Tikka (cubes of lamb in a ginger-yoghurt-garlic marinade) and Jhinga Sultani (prawns marinated in a mixture of spices and chilies).

I would definitely go for the salad again; the flavor combination was very different and refreshing, and the Murg Pakora and all three Tandoori Specialties really hit the spot.

Next came the Main Courses. Jamawar Dal (slow stewed black lentils with tomato puree), Rogan Josh (mutton cooked with onion, tomato an Kashmiri chilies), Murg Makhani (grilld chicken tikka cooked in tomato gravy), Jhinga Masala (prawns cooked in spicy tomato and onion masala gravy), Murg Dum Biryani (chicken and rice in a sealed copper pot with Haydrabadi spices), and an assortment of breads.

Every dish was exotic, mulch-layered with rich textures, authentic flavors and aromas.

I have some Masala Chai tea (brewed black tea with a mixture of aromatic Indian spices and herbs) every day after brunch at work; the warming spices stimulate the digestive system so it’s perfect after a heavy Indian meal.

And for dessert they brought us quite the selection: Gulab Jamoon, Zaffrani Rasmalai, and Kulfi. All three were delicious and perfect with the Masala Chai!

I definitely recommend trying Jamawar if you like Indian food. Thank you to my colleague Lewis for helping me with the names of some of the dishes and not laughing at my horrible American pronunciation.

Located at the Crowne Plaza Hotel

Tel: 1848 111

Run Girl Run!

2013-05-15T10:36:00.001+03:00

Omg! Hahahahaha!!!

If a man "promises" to marry you and then asks you for 40,000 Kuwaiti Dinar ($142,000) before or after the wedding then run the other f'reakin' way! Also, before marriage check his passport for 'frequent' trips for fun. His taliwacker might be a WMD (Weapon of Mass Disease). Some things do not always show up on medical tests until years later. If his passport is new then chances are he had to burn the first one from having more stamps than a third world post office.

Arab Times re-post [link] Meanwhile, personnel from the Criminal Investigation Department have arrested a GCC citizen for cheating a young Kuwaiti woman, reports Al-Rai daily.

The daily added the man was taken into custody as soon as he stepped down at the Kuwait International Airport. He arrived from Thailand.

The arrest came following a complaint filed by the woman who said the man had promised to marry her and she even got a KD 40,000 loan because he needed money.

After receiving the money he left for Thailand and spent the money for pleasure. The woman said she learned about him when he called her from Thailand when he was under the influence of alcohol.

Signs

2013-05-15T08:48:00.001+03:00

Pepper at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa

2013-05-13T21:40:00.001+03:00

Ground floor of Hotel

Love the Mother Earth décor!

Such a lovely staff from all over the world. The Malaysian chef is magnificent!

Brown Bread

Dips: Mushroom and Purple Carrot

Pan-Seared Tuna with mouse

300g Wagyu cooked medium rare

Sauces: Blue Cheese and Mushroom

Sides: Creamed Spinach and Mashed Potatoes <3

Mouth-Watering Perfection!

Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa Grand Deluxe Room

2013-05-12T21:50:00.000+03:00

This isn't a 'review' but I wanted to show some pictures of the rooms we stayed in at the Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa. We chose the Grand Deluxe Rooms and requested the Gulf, pool and garden view. The décor is very minimalistic with a relaxing earthy feel. I felt very comfortable, relaxed, and pampered in my spacious room.

Grand Deluxe Room 1

Grand Deluxe Room 2 (my room)

Gorgeous view of the Arabian Gulf, Hotel Gardens, fountains and Pools.

DVD player and remote control complete with television guide.

If someone rings your doorbell you can see them on your room and bathroom TV. Great for personal safety but bad if you're in the middle of watching a movie. It never goes back to what you were watching (news) unless you change it back.

Mocktail time! The sweetest staff (just like the Kuwait Hilton and Hotel Missoni). Most are new to Kuwait and have left their home country for the first time.

Mocktails or are they? ;p

Fabulous bathroom with plenty of space.

Love the rain shower

Excellent quality toiletries so I don't need to pack my own next time.

I took a relaxing bubble bath that first night.

Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa

Visit Kuwait to explore one of the undiscovered holiday destinations of the Middle East. Stay at the Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa and enjoy elegant guest rooms in the heart of the capital, Kuwait City.

Experience the best of Kuwait

The hotel in Kuwait is located on Messilah Beach, one of the country’s biggest and most popular coastal areas. Guests will enjoy fantastic views of the Persian Gulf and access to an exquisite private beach amidst the bustling streets and lively atmosphere of Kuwait City.

The hotel's services and amenities have been designed to offer every convenience to the modern traveller. From a signature spa, to gourmet dining experiences and activities for children, visitors can find a comfortable base in Kuwait whether visiting for business or on family holiday. [Source]

Opening Weekend at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa in Kuwait

2013-05-11T21:56:00.000+03:00

So like we were invited to the soft opening of the Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa by ourselves. :p

It's always risky to try a new hotel for the first time when they recently opened (4 days before) but we just couldn't resist after waiting so long. Thankfully the hotel, décor, ambiance, rooms, pools, beach, drinks, food and staff exceeded our expectations and we absolutely fell in love.

Checking in...

The lobby

Entrance

Lobby garden, swimming pool and Arabian Gulf view with the Garden Café one floor below.

The ruling family past and present

Arabesque Restaurant

They have shisha! (Photo by Bama)

The Internet in Kuwait is slower than molasses when it comes to uploading photographs. I will upload the rest of the photographs all during the week.

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

2013-05-10T10:59:00.001+03:00

Image

Disclaimer: I know I don't 'owe' anyone an explanation but I have been bombarded with emails, texts, Twitter Tweets, Twitter DMs, calls, etc. asking me questions about our breakup. This below is all I really care to share which is risky enough in this tiny country. I thought I would just write this for closure and then move forward.

Remember that this is an open blog and I haven't put every detail of our relationship out there for the entire world to read. If I could then you, the reader, would understand more of why I came to this painful and embarrassing decision (yet again) to end our relationship. You would get the 'entire picture' which I'm afraid for good reasons and staying anonymous I cannot explain.

First I want to write that this situation is mostly my fault and you should blame me not H. Hayati is wonderful and he isn't the typical 'Kuwaiti' guy.

Some facts about H: he is ruggedly handsome / tall, he has the most awesome sense of humor, he's highly educated from one of the world’s top Universities (not a fake degree from the PH), he doesn't lie to me, he doesn’t abuse me physically / verbally, he doesn't look at other women (when I'm around hehe), he doesn't have multiple cell phones, he spends almost all his time with me, work or family, he never cheated on me or even flirted with my friends, strangers, waitresses, etc., he spoils me rotten with attention, romantic poems, fabulous dinners, groceries, luxurious gifts, first class vacations, spa weekends and true romantic love.

He really asked me to marry him twice and waited so long to marry me so that my parents might come to accept our relationship.  He doesn't believe in dating (darn it) and he wants to do the right thing. I have the most fabulous sparkly Cartier engagement rings that he is insisting I keep. I wasn't a secret ever and he introduced me to his immediate family (this is like rare in Kuwait peeps), he tried his best to make me feel comfortable in his country that has a completely different culture than mine. His Mom would not only welcome me to Friday family lunches but she would have their chefs prepare my favorite Kuwaiti food for my apartment.

Okay, deep breath....YES! What I wrote above is completely true. Believe it or not it's all true. He's amazing and I don't need to fib or exaggerate his good points or our unique love story. Just like everyone else (especially me) H isn't perfect. He doesn't want to compromise enough and although I love him more than life itself I was lying to myself again when I thought I could just live the rest of my life with giving up so much of myself.

Some cliff notes:

I now realize when he's mad he is going to ’punish me' by giving me the 'ignore treatment'. I semi-trained him into not doing this before but when he is really really mad (like when I went to Abu Dhabi) he is going to ignore me for a long time. This is unacceptable to me and I feel I have no voice or say so in our partnership. I want to talk about our problems and issues but he wants to prove to me that I'm just wrong and don't do it again or else! Sorry, but I can't accept this!

I have to live in Kuwait forever and living in America with our future children is never ever going to happen. There are good career reasons and it's not his fault at all.  That is just the way it is if we were to marry. It makes sense for him but why should I have to give up my country entirely and not have the choice to live there for a few years here and there? He wants to finance my own business here but my Mom pointed out that might be another way to keep me in Kuwait 365 days per year minus vacation.

He even agreed to buy us another 'larger' home close to my parents but then kept saying he hates the humid summer weather there and long plane trip. He prefers Europe over America and never stops telling me about it. I doubt he would want to visit my family often nor allow me to travel without him. We went home once and had a blast but he hated the heat, slow drivers and mosquitos.

My parents (Mother) will not accept not having future grandchildren that are Christian. They respect Islam and they like H but keep saying they don't respect the fact that I have to be the one to give in and the children must follow their Father's religion. Yes, they know why it's right for him but say it isn't fair to me or them. This issue has put so much strain on my relationship with my parents. To the point they don't even want to leave me in their will.  My parents and H are very controlling and it has hurt me deeply because I love them all so much.

Then there is my dream of adopting a child. I have always said since I was a little girl that I want to adopt a child in need of a loving family. My parents used to sponsor foster children and take them away on the weekends to our beach house or on family vacations. H said no to adoption. I promised to have his children but I requested to also adopt one. He refuses and quoted a ton of religious reasons why he cannot give someone that is not his blood his name.   This always burnt a hole in my heart because my dream of adopting a child would never come true. We would have so much love, money and resources to share with this addition to our family but he won’t even discuss it.

So even though we love each other so much it just can't work and I've been fooling myself. He is so hurt and wants to try to make this work. He thought by ignoring me and saying its over would scare me into submission. He thought his friends and family were right with their advice to punish me after my trip. They thought I would agree not to travel again without him if he made me sorry enough. All he did was give me time to think about how I'm really better off as a free and independent woman who really wasn't ready to marry anyone. Much less marry a guy that requires me to give up so much of my life. I would be happy just dating while I work in Kuwait but his religion will not accept this Western way of life.

His immediate family has invested a lot of time, money and love into our future and I fear they will never ever forgive me. The last thing I wanted to do is hurt H or them after they accepted me and I can only hope they will forgive me one day.

My heart is broken and I feel a lot of guilt but this is the right choice. I will always love H but I know this is the right decision for our future a few years down the road. I don't think the love we have for each other can overcome the resentment I would feel about giving up so much to be with him.  I even hope that some day he will meet a lovely Kuwaiti girl that can be his soul mate and future wife.  I really believe that only a Kuwaiti, Muslim girl will be able to truly give him the life, tradition and family he desires and deserves. (It's easier to write this but much harder to accept this when it happens.)

Okay, this post is fast and hurried and you will see why later but I wanted to give a little update for everyone who reads the blog. Thanks for your support and I wish you all a beautiful weekend full of God's blessings, exciting adventure, good food, family, friends and love.

Abu Dhabi Mall, Emirates Palace Hotel, Marina Mall and the Heritage Village Snaps

2013-05-10T08:48:00.000+03:00

Abu Dhabi Mall at Il Forno's pizza restaurant. This is a pic of the Panna Cotta we shared.

Abu Dhabi Mall

Emirates Palace Hotel

Marina Mall

Then we took a taxi for a short ride to Heritage Village

So you see readers and Mom...I didn't just drink to catch a slight buzz and then pole dance the night away. We had a nice short weekend in Abu Dhabi and I could definitely see myself working in the UAE one day. InshAllah!

When Men Dig for Gold

2013-05-08T21:00:00.002+03:00

Google Images

Misyar Marriage in the Middle East

2013-05-08T08:34:00.001+03:00

[Image]

I've heard that even some American women do this in Kuwait...

Misyar marriages in Saudi Arabia gaining prominence among Saudis

Re-post from Gulf News

With the number of unmarried women in Saudi Arabia rising at alarming rates, an undeclared marriage system known locally as misyar is gaining prominence.

By Mariam Al Hakeem, Correspondent, Saudi Arabia

With the number of unmarried women in Saudi Arabia rising at alarming rates, an undeclared marriage system known locally as misyar is gaining prominence.

This form of marriage has also generated controversy and subsequent debate at all levels of the society and among religious scholars.

Misyar is described as a form of marriage in which the wife gives up her rights offered under the religion, including the right to have the husband living with her in the same house and providing her with necessary expenses.

In short the woman gives up the right to have an independent home. The husband may come to see her at her parent's home at whatever time he chooses for himself, or at a time agreed by the two.

Although there are no official statistics on this kind of marriage, most social researchers agree the phenomenon is on the rise and is no longer confined to a particular group.

Some scholars approve of the practice by saying that it meets the basic requirements of legal marriage under Islam and helps in solving many social problems resulting from spinsterhood.

Others denounce the practice, saying it is unlawful because it does not meet the marriage requirements as stipulated by Shariah, and could thus result in more serious moral and social problems.

Among those who approve misyar is prominent Saudi scholar Shaikh Abdullah Bin Sulaiman Bin Menie. A member of the Supreme Ulema Council, Shaikh Menie says misyar is legal since it meets the requirements for a lawful marriage under Islam.

"What distinguishes this kind of marriage from others is that the wife voluntarily waives her right of having the husband living with her in the same house and paying for her necessary expenses. She agrees to have the husband visit her at any time, day or night, at the time convenient to him," he said.

Shaikh Menie said the conditions agreed by the wife do not affect the validity of the marriage and the wife can still demand her full rights, including having the husband live with her and provide for her expenses. The husband in this case is free to agree to her terms or opt for divorce, he added.

He cited the case of Al Sayida Souda, one of the wives of Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), who agreed to give up her right of having the Prophet spend every alternate night with her in favour of the Prophet's other wife, Al Sayida Aisha.

The problem of spinsterhood prompted the Shura Council to intervene.

It recently asked 50 Saudi female intellectuals and educationists to present strategies for dealing with the issue. Saudi families, women in particular, were advised to accept a more modest dowry to lessen marriage expenses.

The director of social affairs department in Jeddah, Ehsan Al Tayeb described misyar as a "social phenomenon resulting from discrepancies in the country's very family structure and the marriage system".

Legal advisor, Hamid Fallata, says of misyar: "It is the choice of the coward who resort to marrying secretly," and warned the practice could result in more serious social and legal problems instead of solving these.

Social researcher, Abdullah Al Dosari, cited several reasons for the phenomenon. "Some of these relate to men, others to women and still others have to do with the society in general. Some men want to have more than one wife for various reasons, perhaps for not being happy with the first wife."

"Women fear spinsterhood and find solace in this kind of marriage. Divorced and widowed women would not want to spend the rest of their life without a husband," he explained.

Matchmaker Um Talal said some women resort to misyar because they want to stay at their parents' home to take care of them, especially if there is no one else in the family to do so.

Some physically challenged women would also want to marry this way and their parents would not object because they want their daughter to have a husband.

Abu Dhabi ~ The Hotel 2

2013-05-04T19:56:00.001+03:00

Here are some more Beach Rotana Hotel photos. Above is the last one of my comfy room.

Walking to the hotel beach.

Breakfast area <3

Hotel Lobby

Abu Dhabi ~ The Hotel

2013-05-03T22:39:00.000+03:00

These are a few snaps of my hotel room at the Beach Rotana Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

It was really comfortable but the private beach looked like a man made sandbar next to a canal. I would have been disappointed but Trader Vic's is located inside the hotel and it's also linked to the Abu Dhabi Mall.

Of course I came home to Kuwait with a pretty souvenir from Pure Gold.

Against All Odds: the Kuwaiti-Expat Marriage

2013-05-03T14:41:00.000+03:00

[source]

I'm not sure how I missed this interesting article in the Kuwait Times on Kuwaiti-expat marriage. I can definitely relate a little bit so I decided to re-post [link].

The dilemma of Kuwaiti-expat marriage written by Sahar Mousssa

Marriage in general is a big step. But it’s a bigger step when you are a foreigner and want to marry a local. Being a foreigner in a country like Kuwait is a difficult situation by itself. There is a lot of discrimination against nationalities and stereotypes come with the territory. An expat marrying a local in Kuwait is a big issue, thanks to the traditions and customs. If a Kuwaiti man loves a foreigner and wants to marry her, his family will come in the way.

Some families in order to avoid this problem, put pressure on the guy by bringing a photo album of several girls of marriageable age, replete with personal data and their profiles for him to pick his future wife. Even before they have had a chance to see each other, a wedding date is set and preparations kick off full swing. And God forbid, he says no to her, he will automatically become the black sheep of the family.

Even the government supports Kuwaitis marrying other Kuwaitis through interesting rules. If a Kuwaiti man marries a Kuwaiti woman, the government will gift him KD 6,000 ($21,600) as marriage grant but if he marries an expat, he will only receive their blessings. A law earlier stated that if a Kuwaiti man married a non-Kuwaiti woman, she would be granted nationality upon completing five years of marriage but revised laws state that the woman will have to go through a panel for approval and unless she has wasta, in all likelihood, may not even get it. This is almost like pushing Kuwaitis to make their choice right then: more money or their love. I have one question: Does anyone, including the family or the authorities, have the right to interfere when two people fall in love?

Okay, I have mentioned the facts and the procedures, and now I’m going to write what exactly Kuwaiti women think about their men-folk marrying a foreigner. Kuwaiti women wonder “Why do our men want to marry a foreigner? What is wrong with us or our women?” or believe that “all foreigners want to marry our men because they eye our nationality and the benefits we Kuwaitis have!”

A common refrain is that they don’t know how Arab women convince Kuwaiti men to marry them and “They must have certainly bewitched them by using magic spells to bring them under their control”. This is my personal favorite line and believe you me, I heard this one!

To all Kuwaiti women who think that foreigners marry Kuwaiti men after bewitching them or for their private benefits: I would like to say, that it’s true that there is something called magic – which is the magic of love. I believe that everything is destined in life, and this applies to marriage too. If it is destined for a foreigner to come from a different country and meet a guy, fall in love with him and then get married, God will bless this marriage as it is only because of pure love and not traditions or prejudice which could lead to deceit and divorce.

I hope you will not take this issue personally but instead think that real joy lies in finding that one special person with whom you can share the rest of your life – irrespective of which country they come from. For every woman and man out there, I wish from the bottom of my heart that you find The One to grow old with.

By Sahar Mousssa Kuwait Times
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Here's another interesting Kuwait Times article on expat marriage in Kuwait:

Cutting Ties to Tie the Knot

Natalie was madly in love with her Muslim colleague when she accepted his marriage proposal, converted to Islam against her family’s wishes and became his wife. She was abandoned by her parents, relatives and many friends. But the honeymoon period for the newlyweds was short-lived. Soon she not only lost her family and friends, but was without a husband too.

To read more of the article written by Nawara Fattahova click [here].

29-year-old Kuwaiti National Football Team Player Arrested for Relationship with 17-year-old, Dutch, Minor, Expat of Arab Descent

2013-05-03T11:02:00.001+03:00

[Google Images]

Kuwaiti Footballer Admits Relationship With Minor

Kuwait Times re-post: A Kuwaiti footballer was detained after he admitted involvement in a sexual relationship with a minor who reportedly left her home country to come and meet him in Kuwait. The arrest happened on Tuesday, four days after a Dutch national reported his 17-year-old sister as missing in Kuwait after she arrived here on April 21, according to investigations carried out by authorities in Amsterdam.

The complainant was reportedly escorted to the Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh police station soon after arriving at the Kuwait International Airport to look for his missing sister. Detectives eventually found the girl, who is of an Arab descent, inside a Salmiya apartment. She admitted that she was staying with her Kuwaiti boyfriend and said she had decided to leave her family and her home country to be with that man. The man in question was identified as a 29-year-old athlete who is also a member of Kuwait’s national football team.

He was put behind bars after admitting that he and the underage girl had a sexual relationship. Authorities reportedly handed over the girl to the Dutch embassy which was preparing to send her back home. The suspect was charged with defilement of a minor, and currently remains in custody pending legal procedures.

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Is this the same Dutch girl of Arab descent?

Update: Dutch woman loses honour in wedding pledge [Link]

Arab Times, Kuwait City, May 7, 2013: A Dutch woman has filed a complaint with police against a Kuwaiti man who allegedly raped her.

The complainant told police she exchanged SMS messages several times with the man until he expressed his love for her and promised to marry her. They later agreed to meet at a restaurant to formalize their agreement. After dinner, he invited her to a flat in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh where the alleged rape took place.

The woman provided police with a detailed description of the suspect who was arrested and then subjected to a thorough investigation.

A case was registered and the suspect was referred to the Public Prosecution for the necessary legal action.

No Haj this year for Expats in Kuwait?

2013-05-03T09:34:00.002+03:00

[Source]

Kuwait Times, May 2, 2013: Undersecretary of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic affairs Dr Adel Al-Falah announced that the pilgrimage supreme committee tends to use the whole Kuwait quota of pilgrims this year for Kuwaitis only. Speaking form Jeddah, Al-Falah said that the 8000 quota would be allocated to bedoons and some exceptions would be made for expats with Kuwaiti relatives. Al-Falah justified this to the limited quota allocated by Saudi Hajj authorities per country in view of the expansion and construction works going on at the Holy Mosque in Makkah.

*More than half of the population in Kuwait consists of expats.