Confusion over visa means newlyweds must wait to be reunited
A HEARTBROKEN newlywed is counting down the days until she will be reunited with her husband after being forced to spend their first year of marriage thousands of miles apart because of confusion over his visa.
When Christina Hassan, née Miles, wed her "soulmate" Juma – who hails from Kenya – last February, she expected to be able to begin their married lives together.
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MARRIED: Christina Hassan and Juma Hassan on their wedding day. Submitted picture
But Juma's visa application to allow him to stay in the UK was refused shortly after their big day because Christina was only 19 years old at the time.
As part of rules designed to prevent arranged marriages, the Home Office has increased the age at which foreign newlyweds can apply for a visa from 18 to 21 for both them and their partner.
Christina, who turns 21 in April, said: "I am so angry that when we applied for permission to get married from the Home Office nobody bothered to tell us that Juma wouldn't be able to get a visa because I was too young.
"It's been so hard being so far apart from him. Because we're both unemployed at the moment I've only been able to visit him once since we got married. I feel like our lives are on hold and it hurts even more now I've seen him and had to leave again. I just can't wait for my 21st birthday."
The couple wed at Laceby Road Methodist Church on February 22 last year, and Juma was forced to return to Mombasa, in Kenya, on May 13 after his visa application failed.
Christina, who lives in Crosby Road, in Grimsby's Nunsthorpe Estate, with her mum, said: "I first met Juma when he was performing in the Maasai Warrior show at Pleasure Island when I was 16.
"I took his number because I was in the Respect Dance Academy and we thought it would be good to work with them.
"I was in a relationship at the time, but when I started texting Juma our feelings for each other grew. We went on a date in Scarborough and I knew he was the love of my life."
Juma and Christina got engaged six months after they started dating and were first forced to spend time apart when he moved to perform in Blackpool while she stayed in Grimsby to complete a childcare course.
The former St Mary's Catholic School student said: "It was hard enough being apart, but we didn't mind because we thought we'd be able to start living together after the wedding.
"I just can't believe I've spent my first year of marriage on a different continent to my husband."
Now the newlyweds, who only speak on the phone when they can afford the credit, are trying to raise enough money to allow Juma to move to the UK when Christina turns 21.
Juma, 39, said: "I felt so bad and angry that I had to leave my wife.
"When she came to visit we had a fantastic time together and it was like a honeymoon for both of us.
"I love my wife so much and I can't live without her."
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by dave, clee
Tuesday, February 15 2011, 11:22AM
“My post early on, on the 12th. "disappeared" and the 'comments team' are unable to find it and have been enable to explain why.So here is the gist of what I said then.
Christina has known Juma since she was 16, and married him when she was 19. I don't see that the age difference is material. Look at the age difference between Bernie Ecclestone and his wife, for example.
I hardly see this as an "arranged marriage" or a "marriage of convenience."
As to living in Kenya, surely it's up to THEM were they want to live. They will not have the audacity to tell anyone were THEY should live, so why should anyone tell them?
I have been to Mombasa, Kenya, a few years ago, it's OK for a holiday, but that's all. I don't think there are any job prospects for either of them there.
They both have a better chance of finding work here, and it seems that they do want to work.
So, lighten up people, let them live their lives as they want to and you do likewise.
Good luck to you both and I hope you have a long and happy marriage, that will shut all of the dissenters up.”
by Cupid Stunt, grimsby
Monday, February 14 2011, 12:16PM
“Everything else aside. Only someone from the Nunny would let their 16 year old go out with someone in their mid 30's! Nice!”
by edward, Gedney
Monday, February 14 2011, 10:02AM
“Now I'm really confused,is Chris,Christine and now Christina all the same person.”
by edward, Gedney
Monday, February 14 2011, 9:57AM
“Christine.
Keep taking the happy pills they'll kick in eventually.
Now then where will you be this thursday night- Council meeting isn't it urging people to cause mayhem,rock throwing no less,grow up you little Miss reactionary.”
by Lucy Stephenson, Grimsby
Monday, February 14 2011, 9:51AM
“I'm not sure why there has been such a lengthy discussion on Juma freeloading, when it is obvious that he does, and always has worked.
Christina, however, is a different story. When has she ever done anything productive for our society? Never. Just another lazy lay-about.”
by Steve, Grimsby
Monday, February 14 2011, 9:05AM
“So now Nunny residents are importing people for me to spend my taxes on. Goody.”
by mum, Grimsby Nunsthorpe Est
Monday, February 14 2011, 1:31AM
“THE END”
by Chris GY, Grimsby
Sunday, February 13 2011, 9:39PM
“You pair of old queens are about as funny as mud and half as imaginative.
I always imagine Frankie Howard and Kenneth Williams voices when I read your posts.
.......and Mr Angry, in reference to your last post. Would you please hurry up and write it.”
by edward, Gedney
Sunday, February 13 2011, 5:49PM
“Mr ANGRY.
Mrs WHITE will come back gun's a blazing,take to the hills while it's safe to do so.”
by Mr Angry, Laceby Acres
Sunday, February 13 2011, 5:11PM
“I have twisted no words.
JO demanded to know if Mrs Hassan had applied for a visa to live in Kenya, Mr Hassan wants to live with the woman he loves in this country.
Scepitcal? Maybe this couple are in love.
You changed your mind, OK but how much of your original thinking was based on interfering, nosey, uninvited and obviously unwelcome racism?”