Preparation advice

In the past I have talked about preparation which is very important when making hijrah. But as we know Allah is the best of planners and the best disposer of our affairs. I must take this time to advise you that even with the best of intentions you will have to overcome test, trials and tribulations. I will reiterate that once the decisions has been made to make hijrah making sure that all proper documents and paper work are in order is essential. Currently in the US to obtain passports for an adult requires several things the appropriate application form, original birth certificate which is sent with your application to the passport bureau, state identification to acknowledge you are the applicant and several passport size pictures as well as the current fees of course. If there has been any legal name change due to marriage etc.. also have this available. When applying for children the process is similar but the age of the child or children may require both parents to be present to sign the application giving consent to issue passports. Please know that if there are 2 parents names listed on the birth record these 2 individuals as well as the children will need to be present to have the application even considered Yes, there are often special circumstances where the other parent is not available. In cases due to death you would of course need to produce the proper documentation. If someone has relocated they may be able to feel out a special circumstance form (available on line) explaining why they are not available have it notarized and attach this to the application. If an applying parent does not have a legal document specifically stating sole legal custody (primary custody may not be excepted by the passport bureau) or a plowmen petition granting permission to relocate with children that are minors you will need permission from the absent parent in writing. If any parent is not available due to incarceration the same requirements still apply they must request to have the prison notary notarize the forms or letter and this also can be used. These are common required procedures for first time passports. Passports that are being renewed or replaced due to damage or lost I am not aware of the protocol. (mashaAllah)
The reality of life is for one reason or another people divorce, part on good or sometimes not so good terms. People remarry and continue on with their lives even when children are involved unfortunately loose contact or have no on going relationship at all. It is at these times you have to deal with the potential hardship of trying to obtain passports and visas. InshaAllah once you have the passports they are good for 5 years for children and 10 years for adults. Applying for a visa to KSA is a similar process. Children from a previous marriage may also need translated documents submitted verifying the approval of both parents to enter the Kingdom. Depending on the nature of your individual situation waiting for an approval from KSA could possibly take months. If you are approved for a visa this is sent to the Consulate General in NYC or DC once the Consulate General issues you a visa you will have approximately 3 months to enter the Kingdom before it expires.
Bloggers note: I am speaking from my own personal experiences. I understand that many may not have encountered some of the hardships and difficulties that my family has. The state of Pennsylvania and the passport bureau in the USA have very strict and different rules about minor children leaving the USA. Sadly the rules governed by one department may not be governed by the other. My goal is only to share my thoughts so that it may make it easier for others and allow them to be prepared for some possible unforeseen hurdles. In the end my belief is that Allah has guided me here and I thank Allah for his mercy and those companions who have been a sincere support to me and my family
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

http://www.saudiembassy.net/

Sisterhood

The word sisterhood is been defined as an association or society of women who are linked together by a common religion or trade or interest; a religious society of women who live together as sisters.
Sisterhood in Islam is very important we are not only wives but the mothers, daughters and sisters to one another. Our responsibilities and role in our communities are great and the rewards from Allah are numerous. Part of what fosters good feelings and sisterhood is simple acts of kindness towards one another. Sadaqah to someone that you have never met but your faith in Allah and your desire to receive barakats for your good intentions is what keeps you going.

About a month ago I was visiting the Haram (The Prophets Masjid) with my family as we have done many times since being here. You will find that on any given day it is populated with hundreds of people but seemingly more so on Thursday and Friday. Like us, families come to offer the salah, attend classes or sit and benefit from each other. When walking through the court yard I passed 2 women with their children not really anything about them caught my eye just once we made eye contact I gave the saalams and continued to where I was going. As I walked by I heard one say something to her child in English. This did catch my attention because here in Medina that is not common. I still kept walking until I reached my oldest daughter I told her what I heard and she actually didn't believe me at first. So that's when I decided to go introduce myself and I encouraged my children to come along. I walked over to the same area I saw the women in but now there were several more. I gave the group of women the saalams and asked was anyone an American. "Yes", one of the sisters replied and where are you from? I told them we were from Pennsylvania, still a little shocked only because I have met many people here and some English speaking but very few from America.

Soon after we were invited to sit down and join them in a short time I learned a little about the small group of women. Three of the women were from Texas, New York and Florida and 3 others from Sweden. MahsaAllah I thought Allah's earth is large and he makes Muslims from every walk of life and Allah has guided us all to meet here in Medina at this most beautiful and sacred place. Everyone talked about how long they have lived in Medina (some as many as 5-7 years), there families and why they had come. During the conversations I was happy to hear that the women try to meet every week. Time had passed us by so quickly as the children played and the sunset almost time for mahgrib. A cloth was laid out on the ground and food was served. Every person had brought a dish and shared it with the group. I felt so bad because I had nothing to offer but they insisted we stay and join them. Before it was time to go were invited to join them again next week phone numbers were exchanged and we left.
The group of sisters still meet every week taking the time out to enjoy themselves and their children. I haven't been able to go every week as I would like but I was very happy to join them this week. As the weeks have gone by the small group of sisters I met just a month ago has grown. I arrived just after Asr several people were already there this time new faces and the location was a park near Mount Uhud. I always welcome opportunities to meet other Muslim women from countries like Bahrain, Somalia, Sweden and Nigeria. The children had swings, roller blades and sliding boards to keep them busy, what a good time they had. Sisterhood was present everywhere as each person introduced themselves, offered to help with one thing or another or give advice on an issue or topic like learning the Arabic language, parenting, education and choosing schools, life in Medina as we experience it.Everyone representing something different but still holding on to the concepts of sisterhood. We read about Allah, his power and wisdom but when you are surrounded by such diversity it is a reminder that Allah is the creator of the heavens and the earth and he is able to do all things. I think about the verse in the Quran that says "And in your creation,and what He scattered (through the earth) of moving (living) creatures are signs for people who have Faith with certainty. (Al-Jathiya, Chapter #45, Verse #4)
I have posted some pictures of our day at the park.

Taking Care

Growing up my mother was a nurse in geriatric homes and my step mother a cosmetologist. Having two mother figures in my life I have gained some benefit from both women and I believe it helps me in my day to day. Part of preparation for hijrah is taking care of yourself. This is sometimes the one thing we neglect. If you have health issues big or small please prepare to have all the things you may need to deal with those issues if something should occur. This may mean having an extra supply of your medications, or daily vitamins. To avoid delays going through customs make sure these things are in the original bottles with the labels. If possible leave the pharmacy description sheet attached to the bag it came in. My advice is to travel with a copy of your immunization and medical records for everyone traveling. Depending on the type of visa you are requesting a complete physical with blood work maybe required. It must not be more than 3 months old. There should be no worry about receiving care here Medina has many hospitals, clinics,and pharmacies that can assist you with your medical needs. The doctors in nurses often speak some English. If you are diabetic, asthmatic, epileptic or have an health issue physical or mental contact your primary physician you see currently to get any travel recommendations. Be aware of the extreme heat conditions Medina can have and how it may effect your health and take proper precautions. Once arriving in Medina find the local hospital or clinic in your area so that you are aware of it's location before any emergency.
Hair and skin care should also be a focus for many women when deciding what to pack. Many women over time develop a daily or weekly routine with their hair and skin. In America there is the convenience of beauty salons, I am not aware of any beauty salons here in Medina. So many women manage there own hair or rely on a close friend or family members to help with hair styling and etc. Beauty supply products are endless here from dyes to perms and hair lotions. The malls are filled with stores like Bath and Body, Lush, MAC and others where you can buy the things that you may need. With this in mind find a product that works for you. Become familiar with your own skin and hair needs. My skin is very dry and flaky so I prefer natural oils like coconut,almond and vitiman E oils. You can by this in a natural form or products that have them. If you have a product that you just have to have bring as much as you can until you find the alternative here. Bring your favorite flat irons,curling irons and blow dryer. Saudi offers two electrical outlet systems 110 and 220. This means that items from America can be plugged into the electrical jacks here with out a converter. Learn to braid and cornrow with girls it can be a lifesaver. Some women decide to go natural. In this day and age when we are learning everyday about the dangers of so many products and the toxins they provide many have decided to lean towards natural hair and skin care. For women who have processed hair speak with your hair dresser about her suggestions on maintaining healthy hair on your own and hair care reference books that you may want to purchase. In our home my teenage daughter and help each other by doing one eah others hair. Practice makes perfect soon you will be doing your own hair and feel like you just step out of the salon.

Critters and things

As salaamu Alaikum: I decided today I will prepare you for what I like to call the "Critters" of Medina. In America I use to hate mice even the mere thought of them would make my skin crawl. I was told by someone that everyone has field mice you may not know it but they are there. Which was not very comforting to me. Alhumdulilah I have never seen a mouse in Medina and I suspect that is due to the large presence of cats. In Sharkeeyah you will see them everywhere. This area is heavily populated with cats. You will seem them as you stroll the streets of Medina they look for food in the trash dumpsters and make homes near by.

Like so many other things in life there are seasons for breeding for particular animals and insects. You will experience a time called fly season and gnat season. These are times of the year you will be tormented by these pest. The flies and gnats will seem to be everywhere you go in every opening they can get in to: the refrigerator, oven, cabinets and your food driving you insane! My husband installed screens in all the windows and fan vents throughout the house. The local markets sell pesticides and fly zappers to help reduce them in your home. Your landlord may even call in an exterminator. No matter what remedy you choose for about a month in October and a month in March you will have unwelcomed guest. The good news is it will pass. Eventually they will subside and things will go back to normal. Not uncommon here are small lizards and scorpions. I have only seen small, slim lizards that can camouflage into rocks and walls. My first week here we were in a furniture suk and above my head on the ceiling was a lizard crawling the walls. One evening we were leaving school there on the wall in the shadows a lizard moving ever so quickly across the court yard wall. Not yet use to seeing them my daughter and I rushed in the other direction. I have attached pictures from the internet of the types of lizards we see here: source http://www.northwestwildlifeonline.com/Saudi%20Arabian%20Reptiles.htm

Pic#2 taken in a friends house

Education

Al Fusha school for girls& uniform
Education is a very important factor in our home. Islamic education as well as subjects in Math, Geography and English. Finding a good school is important no matter where you live. Before coming to Medina my husband and I weighed our options carefully about what educational environment to place our children in. Medina has private schools and public schools. Children are given an education in not only Quran and Arabic but additional subjects such as math, grammar,History etc. some schools offer spoken and written English. With a teenager close to completing high school and smaller grade school children we decided to home school our high school student simply because of the lack of Arabic language skills and supplement by sending her to classes outside the home in Quran/Tajweed and Arabic. My concern was that my child did do not have enough of the Arabic language to attend high school immediately and would be at a disadvantage. The younger children attend school outside the home and are completely emerged in Arabic speaking schools. In this instance because the younger children are still learning the basics they adapt very easily and quickly. If you are considering placing your children in school you will need to have school transcipt's translated or authenticated by the Saudi Embassy otherwise your child/children will be held back from their proper grade.
The average school day is from 7am to 12:30 pm rest days are Thursday and Friday. There is a uniform requirement at both private and public schools. The week begins on Saturday which took some mental adjusting to at first coming from the West. In Medina many families attend Quran classes from Asr to Mahgrib many of the masjids or schools in the area offer free or low cost classes. Adults and children can learn tajweed and have duroos on various subject matter. Even small children may attend as young as 3 in some cases. If you are currently involved in class in your community learning Quran, Tajweed or Arabic then you are on the right track to preparing for life in Medina. If you are not involved in any classes or struggle with those subject areas I implore you to find a class and learn as much as you can. Learn, Learn, Learn. It is so important to have a foundation in Arabic your transition will be alot smoother. I have learned that my English speaking tongue has so many difficulties with the Arabic language. My first day of class I realized my tajweed was non existent. I have been reciting surahs incorrectly for longer than I care to mention. But as I still struggle to learn I feel good about what I have accomplished and inshaallah will keep moving forward.
sample uniforms ages 3&6
This my Quran classroom

Umrah

When I first arrived her in Medina our family drove to Mecca for Umrah(31/2 hr. drive) . This would be probably the most memorable thing that has happened in my life so far. I pray that if Allah allows me to see old age I will never forget my first time being in Mecca and seeing the Kabah. The trip to Mecca started out like any other family road trip as you can imagine the car full of kids, overnight bags and snacks for the road. You can hear the little ones echoing from the back seat "Are we there yet? I have to pee!, I'm hungry." The road from Medina to Mecca is shadowed by mountains and desert land. On occasion you may see the "monkeys" as my family like to call them, sitting and eating along side the road, but they are actually baboons. Baboons have a large population in this area and are very visable. Sometimes travellers will stop and feed the baboons along the way. This is not recommended. Coming from a large city in Pennsylvania seeing wild life up close is fascinating but I reemphasize "wild" life. Baboons are very strong and very unpredictable. They have been known to climb on top of cars and attempt to reach inside.

actual pictures taken under blog titles "Vacation"
I will post more pictures in the near future inshaAllah.
While driving I tried to use my time wisely by reading books on the rites of Umrah and duas that should be said once performing it. After leaving the Miqat at Dhul-Hulaifah the children begin reciting "Labbayka Allahumma Labbayka! Labbayka LaShareeka laka Labbayka Inna L Hamda wa Nimata laka, wa l Mulk la Shareeka Laka!"
We arrived in Mecca just a few minutes shy of fajr prayer my stomach is nervous at this point. It is the month of Ramadan and there are hundreds of people in the city. My husband reminds me of the blessings of make Umrah during this blessed month. The Prophet (peace be upon him) then told her: “When the month or Ramadan arrives, go for ‘umrah, because `umrah in Ramadan is like accompanying me on Hajj.” Sahîh al-Bukhârî. As I stepped out of the car to begin walking to the Haram the athan for fajr prayer was being called instantly I felt the beauty of this special place and this special moment. I was able to pray fajr pray inside the masjid among thousands of people from every walk of life you can imagine. My eyes almost popped from my head in awe of the elegance that surrounds me. The capacity of people it can hold is unbelievable. Later we performed Umrah make tawaf around the Kabah, praying 2 rakahs behind the station of Ibraheem and then walking between Safa and Marwa. Upon completion we were exhausted I hadn't realized the physical toll that Hajj and Umrah really play on you until then. Mentally you feel renewed and inshaAllah closer to Allah az wa jal. As we were leaving Mecca heading back to Medina we tuned into the radio I remember so clearly the athan being called for mahgrib and the salah being lead by one of my favorite reciters Abdul-Rahman Al-Sudais sealing the end of the day with again another special moment. I thanked Allah and some time later I told my husband that out of all the gifts he has given me this is truely the best one.