Do I have a chance?

[alf2]

Assalamu alaykum,

Some of you may be surprised by this thread, because in the past I have bee critical of countries which follow a Theocracy (aka: Most Middle Eastern countries) BUT...I have had a change of heart. I want to of course visit them, but insha'Allah I'd like to move to one of them :shymuslima1:

If anyone has moved from America to Middle Eastern countries, please say so! Usually I just see it the other way around.

Countries I'm especially interested in are. U.A.E, Qatar, KSA and Oman.

My questions:

* What level of Arabic is needed?
* Are there large populations of English speakers?
* How are women expected to act? ((In respect to: driving, working, leaving the house on her own))

Basically, if we could have a nice, calm discussion about your middle eastern country that would be nice. Also, if you are American or European living in the Middle East, i'm especially interested in you experience!

 

[Idris16]

Wa alaykum salam warahmatullah wabarakatuh

In the UAE they tend to speak English, it's an Arab country but still the Arabs there are a minority! If it would be a European nation they would go nuts. But anyway, I myself am critical of those countries governments but not the countries itself. Sometimes I have hard to understand how we can respect their govt's they are far worse than American government, because they brought America to Mid East.

 

[ShahnazZ]

I have family that migrated to the UAE from the US (Abu Dhabi to be exact). Regarding your questions, here are the answers as per their experiences:

1. My family doesn't speak Arabic. However, the UAE is a very diverse nation and it seems that the predominant language is English. You would think it was Arabic since it is an Arab nation but since it's become so metropolitan and diverse, the common language is English. So if you know English, you're good. A basic level of Arabic always helps when applying for jobs, but sometimes translators are provided.

2. See above answer. In short, YES.

3. This can be seen either as good or bad, but the UAE is very westernized in the sense that although their culture is eastern, their lifestyle has become more western in recent years. However, I can tell you that in the UAE, women have more of a chance to be western than in Saudi Arabia. The things you have mentioned are possible in the UAE and in Saudi Arabia as well. However, you would have a harder chance accomplishing them in the latter than you would in the former.

The countries I have alluded to are the UAE and Saudi Arabia. As for Qatar, I don't have anyone there but I do have relatives in Oman and they are enjoying their lives there. Middle eastern countries that are oil-rich or rich in commercial resources do tend to be pretty westernized due to the heavy traffic that such countries channel. As a result, you will find many Westerners and English speakers there. They're also pretty much similar to the west. Saudi Arabia is a bit more conservative and so there are stricter ideals to adhere to there. However, having the holiest cities of Islam there usually seems to be worth it.

Best of luck! I hope Allah rewards you for your intention.

 

[Abu Talib]

:salam2:

You can live peacefully in KSA. Language won't be a problem so don't worry.

Woman have all freedom in KSA you can go out alone and also work but make sure you are covered. The only thing is woman can't drive in KSA.

Ask Allaah to guide you in your decision.

 

[Abu Talib]

Wa alaykum salam warahmatullah wabarakatuh

In the UAE they tend to speak English, it's an Arab country but still the Arabs there are a minority! If it would be a European nation they would go nuts. But anyway, I myself am critical of those countries governments but not the countries itself. Sometimes I have hard to understand how we can respect their govt's they are far worse than American government, because they brought America to Mid East.

:salam2:

Basically, if we could have a nice, calm discussion about your middle eastern country that would be nice

I think you forgot to read that

 

[alf2]

:salam2:

You can live peacefully in KSA. Language won't be a problem so don't worry.

Woman have all freedom in KSA you can go out alone and also work but make sure you are covered. The only thing is woman can't drive in KSA.

Ask Allaah to guide you in your decision.

Really? I have heard women need a male escort when in public!
Please let me know if that is untrue.

Actually, wearing Niqab all the time would not bother me. But having my husband to walk me to and from work will be a problem, especially for him because inshaAllah he would have a job too!

@ ShahnazZ"

Thank you so much for your post! I have seen a few documentaries about U.A.E and you pretty much confirmed the truth I've seen

 

[Aisha hussain..]

:salam2:

hey sis i hope you are in best health and emaan insha Allah

okay so may be i can give you some information to help you insha Allah

I have been to Qatar, KSA, OMAN and i live UAE :lol:

about: - Qatar

its a developing country majority are Arabs and its a very very peaceful country subhanallah...practicing Islam is really very easy in Qatar if you like to migrate into Qatar you should know i little bit of Arabic because Arabic is the official language .... English is also widely used

KSA: -
No words to describe...country of prophets subhanallah if you go to KSA believe me sis you will never ever prefer any other country how ever you should have a basic knowledge of Arabic language .... though english is also used for communication as i have been just twice so i do not much about language Alhamdulillah i know Arabic so i did not face any problem

Oman: -
if you don't go to saudi then i would say go for oman i have lived half of my life there and still travel every month Oman is a mountanious country its very beautiful specially salalah as for oman the only language spoken is Arabic english is rarely spoken but expats do not face any problem Alhamdulillah as far as i know

UAE: -

NO sis i am born here i love this country its like my homeland but not a good place to practice Islam although the upper hand is with muslims but like the above replies they have bought the west here specially Dubai its really very hard to practice Islam here specially if you are wearing Niqab unfortunatly i face it every day ...Alhamdulillah ala kuli hal

I hope that helps you sis insha Allah

wasalam