My dear Karen,

You are having a difficult life indeed, living in a country that doesn't suit you and having to get on with people that don't have the same views on life as yourself.

I understand you love your husband. You say he is good and nice with you and your children... But would a good person force you to live in a country you don't want to live in, to maybe have your daughter cicumcised if the rest of the world and especially you yourself don't want that, to lie and deceipt you as he did before ? 

Dear Karen, I know that in case of divorce the Egyptian laws will hand over your children to their father and I guess you don't want to loose them. You are a victim like so many other mothers, your children are the only thing that is keeping you in this marriage and in Egypt. You will have to find a plan. Play it with patience but play it well. Find a reason why you will have to leave Egypt for any other country with your children, force your husband to have you and the kids with him in the USA. Play the very good muslimah by praying and behaving like one and tell your husband that you have the islamic right to have your husband with you at night, every night. Start putting as much money aside as you can, you will need it some day. Invent extreme illness of a close parent (father, mother, sister...) living abroad and put the stress on your islamic duty to visit this person before he/she dies, as you have to seek forgiveness for some imaginary fault. Whatever you do, do it the islamic way, this will put his worries of you leaving him asleep. He can even come with you on your journey and as soon as you are out of the reach of Egyptian laws, play it hard. Therefor, you will have to silence whatever love is left over in your heart for your husband, be prepared fot that.

Can your family help you ? Talk to them, together you will be stronger. Do you know people of the Embassy of your country ? Maybe they have ideas ? Seek for help wherever you can, but do it discretely, don't wake up sleeping dogs.

Can any of the readers here help Karen out of her misery ? React please by sending me an email.

I will send you a private email as well.

Warmest regards and keep us posted dear Karen.

Aunt Latifa