UAE members?

[rahma]

Assalamu Alaikum,

I thought we may have one or 2 around, but I can't remember.

Life is never as we plan it. I had thought we may move to the UAE in like 5 years, but it might be much sooner then that. So I gotta start planning. If anyone lives over there and would be willing to answer my pathetic, silly questions, I would appreciate it Also, if anyone knows western muslims who live over there and could get me in touch with them, I'd appreciate that too.

[IbnMardhiyah]

paging bluey

[Purple_alien]

Where in UAE are you moving to? My friend is in Abu Dhabi and my other friend used to live and teach in Dubai. I know she still has some contacts there.

[rahma]

Bluey, that's who it was.

We're not really sure yet. I'd like to move to Abu Dhabi, because I know there are some more traditional oriented, english speaking scholars there, like Sh. Jihad Brown. But I guess it really depends on where the husband can find a job. Somewhere where they won't look ascance at him for having a beard and praying He hasn't had the best of luck with that here in the US.

[bluey]

Assalamalaykum!

Yep, I live in UAE. Whereabouts are you moving here? [Im in Dubai].

Oh Dubai has had a recent flux of English dawah/speakers. Just recently I helped in organising a Seminar by Shaykh Yasir Qadhi [Yep, he came all the way down!], there are quite a few islamic organisations which are all English. Although not as developed as the West.

I don't go to AD much so I don't know how the English/Islamic section is there but Ill see if i can find out much more inshaAllah.

Send me an e-mail or add me on facebook [Because I tend to check that more compared to my e-mails and InshaAllah Ill try and be of some help].

[Purple_alien]

Sh, Jihad Brown- is he American? I think I know his wife. was he ever in Syria?

[Asvi]

I have a friend who moved to abu dhabi 6 months ago from USA. She's a wonderful person! I'd be happy to give you her info so you can contact each other.

[rahma]

Awesome, thanks guys. Things are still in the nubulous, OMG what are we going to do with our lives stage, trying to figure out how things should work out. Since this was just something that was a maybe in the future thing, I really don't know anything about anything right now

inshaAllah I'll add you to FB bluey, although I'm not on it very often. I'm Umm Squeakster. Asvi, if you could PM me your friend's info, I'd appreciate it. Purple, I don't know much about Sh. Brown aside from listening to his stuff on this blog. He sounds american, ha. I know in Egypt, it's very rare to get english speaking scholars, especially for the khutba, so it would be really nice to be able to go to jummah with an english speaking imam.

My current (hair brained) scheme is to have the husband go over to Egypt to visit his mom (since he hasn't been home since 2005), and then apply for jobs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, so he can easily go over for interviews. Then, once he gets a job, he'd go and work for 6 months to a year, and once he was stable, I'd join him.

So, my basic questions are:

1. How are arab americans viewed in the UAE? The husband was born and raised in Egypt, moved to the US 5 years ago and recently became a US citizen. He dresses "western" (ie slacks, a shirt and tie), but is very regular with salat, and would like to go to the masjid for jamaah. How are people with sunnah esque beards viewed? In egypt, having one of those is considered a sign of extremism and can mean job descrimination?

2. Work wise, how will he be treated? He has an accounting degree from egypt, but it's been equated to a US degree, and has worked as an accountant here in the US. He speaks and writes arabic fluently, and english almost fluently. He has good references here in the states who have written him letters of recommendation and can do phone/email references as well.

3. How does one actually move to the UAE? I think employers sponsor you? Can you bring your spouse (aka me) over, or would I have to seek seperate employement sponsorship?

4. I don't speak arabic. Like at all. How hard will it be for me to get settled, learn arabic and get a job?

5. Know anyone who's imported a cat? I know there are services for doing it that I'd probably utilize, but it would be nice to talk with someone who's done it. The Squeakster is becoming a sand kitty

6. Shipping stuff over. How expensive is it? I have a ton of books I don't want to part with. And other knicknacks. And an awesome cat tree (that I'll probably have to sell )

7. What do women wear? Are colors frowned upon? If I wore a moderatly brightly colored shirt, a long sleeve shirt and a bright scarf, would I stick out? And how expensive are clothes?

8. Job opportunities for me. I have a BA in political science and a paralegal certificate. I've worked as a paralegal/file clerk/secretary for 4 years. Think I'd be able to get a job?

9. Gym. I'm guessing there are women only gyms? And would it be very odd to go running outside (properly covered in baggy pants, a long sleeve shirt and scarf)?

10. Sufis, how are they viewed? Not crazy goofy sufis, but more of the sober, naqshbandi mujaddidi?

11. $$$ to bring. How much is sufficient? We have a decent amount saved, but want to know if we should scrimp and save as much as possible?

I'm sure I'll have more questions. It just seems that whenever we make plans and try to take one step forward, we're shoved 2 steps back. Ah well, we plot and we plan, but Allah (swt) is the best of all planers. Maybe the crud we're encountering here is Allah (swt) telling us we need to get the heck out of dodge and make hijra.