LOVE FROM AL KADHIMIYA

Chapter 1 (THE PROPOSAL)

It is the middle of winter in Bagdad, Iraq. Inside a marriage magistrate office in the Thawra district (Sadr City), couples wait inside a crowded room to say their vows. The early morning 45-degree weather was the perfect climate for marriage. Young women starting at the age of fourteen are getting married to eighteen and older men.

One particular couple stood out from everyone else. The groom is a 27-year-old African American male in his late twenties. He has a healthy physique that is displayed in his torso and biceps. He wears a black thobe that flows to his sandals' ankle, white Kufi, and a checkered black & white keffiyeh. He is 6'3 in height and weighs about 230 lbs. His face has a clean-shaven beard with connecting sideburns. His beard luster with shea butter gives his face an ebony glow. His name is Asad Ibn An-Nas.

His bride is an Arab woman of Iraqi descent in her early twenties with light olive skin color. She is 5'7 in height and weighs 180 lbs. Her body carries the extra pounds gracefully in her breast and hips. She wears a pink abaya, white hijab, and brownish-red boots. She wears makeup to enhance the beauty she already possesses. Her emerald green eyes are beautified with dark kohl eyeliner and smokey grey eyeshadow. Her lips glistened with a magenta color lipstick, enhancing her exotic look. Her name is Zulaikah Bint Malak.

Zulaikah trembled nervously while Asad sat next to her with a firm, calm demeanor. Asad's arms and legs are folded as he waits patiently. The couple waited for hours to see a marriage magistrate. Zulaikah notices the condescending stares she is getting from the men. One person mumbles in Arabic, "She is marrying an abd." It is a derogatory remark meaning enslaved person, used against Iraqi citizens of African descent.

Asad and Zulaikah opportunity came to say their vows within a five-hour wait. Asad and Zulaikah stood before the middle-aged magistrate who wore a judge's robe accustomed to the Iraqi court system. He prepares the paperwork by signing his name and date. When he is done, he grabs the Qu'ran and tells them both to put their hands on it to swear the two into marriage.

"As you know, marriage is a serious matter. There must be sincerity, trust, and, most importantly, no coercion. Zulaikah, you may state the marriage vows."

"I Zulaikah Bint Malak offer you myself in marriage following the instructions of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him. I pledge, in honesty and with sincerity, to be for you an obedient and faithful wife."

"Zulaikah, do you accept this marriage to Asad? If you do, say I accept three times," Zulaikah repeats "I accept" three times.

"Asad, you may state your vows."

"I pledge, in honesty and sincerity, to be for you a faithful and helpful husband."

The magistrate asked Asad to accept Zulaikah as his wife by saying "I accept" three times.

Asad confirmed as he replied three times. The magistrate requested Asad to present a dowry. Asad gives Zulaikah an envelope with $1000 inside. Zulaikah was surprised as she did not ask nor expect anything but a new life with her soon-to-be husband. After Asad paid fifty American dollars and Asad and Zulaikah signed their names and stamped their thumbprints on the page. The two were presented with a marriage license written in Arabic.

- Zulaikah- 

When I signed the marriage contract, I prayed to Allah that this was the man who would love me. I have long waited for a husband that Americans would call prince charming. Even though I am not a deserving bride, Asad married me anyway, knowing my past. Asad is not my first husband, as I have been married so often that I lost count. It is a very unlikable situation for a Muslim woman who has been divorced in Iraq, even if it's the first divorce. You may ask how this was possible.