THE END

Someone once said, I love my past. I love my present. I'm not ashamed of what I've had, and I'm not sad because I have it no longer." I think that there is some truth to these words. But for me I would say "I accept my past, I try to live in the present, I'm not ashamed of what I've been through, and I am sad because I may have it no longer. We should not be ashamed of the life we have come from because it has made us who we are today, we should look forward to the present because only Allah knows what is in store. Life is full of unexpected changes and when they happen sadness can over take us. But we are suppose to appreciate the good we have enjoyed.
Things have changed for me and my life and I will be leaving Medina very soon. I hope it is only temporary I would be very sad never to return and see Mecca or Medina again. But during this time away I will be happy to see missed family and even some friends. Until I return I pray that you have enjoyed my blog and found it of some usefulness. I thank those who supported me in this and those who emailed,posted comments, sent questions and sincere encouragement.

As salamu alaikum rahmatu Allah wa Baraktu

Summer

As salamu alaiki summer vacation has begun here and everyone is heading home to their respective countries of origin or making travel plans to visit some other place. I myself have been on mental vacation for 3 weeks now just dealing with I guess what people would call "home sickness" for a lack of a better word. In the last week I have cooked chicken cheese steaks, potato salad and french toast. Dishes that must reflect my feelings of missing family and friends. trying to return to visit America at this time of year without advance reservations is almost impossible if you want a reasonable price. Those of us who are not taking a holiday as they say go on with our regular routine and enjoy Medina even still. I did attend a farewell party for a dear sister who is returning to America for good. She will be missed. After 8 years in Medina I wonder how she will adjust to returning to America. I did receive several emails and I apologize in advance because I was unaware I had. Some readers would like to know the cost of several things here in Medina like cars and apartments etc.. I will do my best to address your questions. I honestly do not know how expensive or not cars are. I do know that the variety of vehicles here are the same as the West you can purchase anything from a hummer to small Toyota. Most apartments are unfurnished which means you install your lighting, kitchen sink, hot water tanks and kitchen cabinets. This time of year hot water tanks are not need to much because the main tank is outside on the roof and the heat makes even your cold water run very warm. There are furnished apartment but I am not aware of the cost. I have recently visited a few friends and every one's apartments are so nice mashaAllah. Housing here is generally very spacious the apartments in our building are 3 bedrooms,2 1/2 bathrooms and 2 living rooms 1 for women 1 for men as well as an eat in kitchen. I have seen much larger and of course somewhat smaller. Many of the older housing is larger but maybe not as fancy. But when you arrive you can see all of the new developments that are under construction everywhere. Like so many parts of the world new developments are on going. I hope this is helpful to some who are expecting to arrive.

Jummah

As Salamu Alaiki
It has been said that pictures say a thousand words. So I will allow the photos to speak to you about our visit back to Mecca. I have posted a slide show of some pictures that I enjoy very much. I recently was able to experince my first Jummah prayer in Mecca at the Haram. To say the least the experince was breath taking. Being present in Mecca on a Friday is unbelieveable. The masses of people are like no other place. Mecca and Medina are key centers in Islamic history both hold an unspeakable beauty.

Somethings to do

Outdoor park near my house

Well another weekend has come and gone so quickly. The weekend being Thursday and Friday usually takes some getting used to coming from the US. Many of my friends say that even after years of being in Medina it still takes some getting used to. It always feels like the weekend when the kids some friends and I spent some time in Al Nur mall. Al Nur mall has many of the retail stores that you would find in the US. Familiar names as GAP, New York&Co, H&M and Aldo are through out this large bi-level mall. Of course there are other stores that are reflective of the Arab retail world where you can buy anything from an Abayah to household goods. Generally after Asr salah on the weekends the malls are very congested with a parking lot full of cars and teens roaming in and out of stores and hanging out in the food court. Everyone who needs to find anything from a new outfit or a wedding gift. But isn't that the case all over the world? Many people ask what are prices like ?Are clothes more expensive? My answer is honestly I do not see a great difference in the cost. If I purchase a long skirt for $100SR at the current rate of money now that equates to approx. $26.66USD this is a great deal in my opinion. Some items that I would find very difficult to find in the US like a long skirt without a high split or a split at all is very easy here. Yesterday the mall was having some small sales offering 10% off as we all know is not much help in these economic times. But all in all we enjoyed ourselves munching on fries from KFC, sipping milkshakes and watching the kids on the rides. Oh yes, many of the malls have indoor amusement parks with a monorail that circles the food court, ice skating ring or roller blade ring which ever you decide, a roller coaster and host of other rides to many to name. Alhumduliah it is very family oriented and keeps the smaller children busy along with offering protection from the sun something that the outdoor parks (as fun as they also can be) lack. We usually go to the outdoor parks in the evening after mahgrib.

indoor amusement park

Coming from the US and living in the land of the Muslims you start to appreciate little things like being able to enjoy a day out with the kids and still be able to break to make salah in the musellah at mall. MashaAllah just little things like this would be so nice in the US especially in large cities like NYC, Washington DC and Phildelphia where the Muslim population is so large. You are either forced to delay the salah, praying in you car, finding a dressing room or I would many times just wait until after Zhur salah to go out so that I would have several hours before Asr prayer would come in. All of these options become the norm when living in the US depending on various factors like personal time limits placed on you by other responsibilities like work or even your spouse. There many things to do here in Medina from visiting the historical areas like Mt.Uhud, Al Haram, Masid Quba and Qiblatan or simple things like a picnic in the park, coffee or tea at Starbucks or a cafe, amusement parks, shopping in the mall or going swimming. Activities are offered for both men and women and for families as a group. The local universities offer conferences on health and business and sitting in on a Daroos from a well known imam or scholar in Islam can be found in the Haram or Masjids throughout the city. For many just a simple gathering at a family member or friends home for tea and conversation will do.

Womens musellah in the mall

16 in Medina

I must apologize I know it seems like forever since I have kept you posted on things here in Medina. I have no excuse other than the daily routine of my life the unrelenting heat of the desert is draining me. Summer is approaching with no mercy. The heat is one of the many things that for some is very hard to cope with. My 16 year old is one of them. I decided to spend this blog sharing her experience and that of some of her friends. I think it is important for anyone who is considering moving to Medina with older children to understand what hurdles you may or may not encounter moving a teenager to KSA. Deciding on an highschool is the common problem many of us encounter. Highschool for a non arabic speaking teen falls into 2 options a priviate international school that uses an American curriculm and English is the primary language, governement school "public" which is a total emersion into all Arabic or homeschooling which can be a problem if you later decided to place them outside the home. Public or private will not recognize homeschoolers as far as placing them in the correct grades. From a parent's prospective moving a teenager to KSA can be ideal concept for other reasons. The knowledge that your teen will not be in same sex classrooms or even exposed to same sex schools (in most cases) or bombarded with negative images about Muslims. Intermingling that plagues the West and many other countries is almost non existent in KSA. I do not want to give an impression of a perfect or even a flawed society. It is easy to fall into a sense of false security about good and bad in Medina. This is true and I have to admit I am guilty of having these same feelings of protection from the outside world but of course there are always exceptions and teens who rebel no matter how religious the family is or is not. All parents must continue to make dua for their children and remind them that the growing pains of a teenager are just one phase of life. We have met teens who have lived in Medina some a few years others their entire lives. One thing that I have learned is teens (girls in particular) are a universal breed no matter the economic background whether they grew up in a large house or small flat, if they are home schooled, attend public or private school they pretty much enjoy just hanging out with friends, walking the malls and are concerned with all the latest fashions. People are a product of their environment and female teens in Medina are influenced by the culture of this country in many ways. From the way they wear hijab to the way they think about marriage and college.
Within a few months of arriving here and getting settled in my 16 year old expressed that she was bored (as every teenager in the world is) and that her daily routine of homeschooling and Quran class was not enough she wanted to socialize with others her age. Once upon a time being a teenager myself I sympathized, she was right we had just moved thousands of miles from what she knew leaving behind friends that she could only communicated with through emails as well as handling a full 10 grade schedule. I decided to email some of my new friends here in Medina and ask if they new of anyone who had daughters in her age range because unfortunately many of the families we had met their daughters were very young or they lived in other cities. After a few weeks I got a call from a friend telling me about a sister who had 2 daughters almost the same age as mine, the family had been in Medina for several years and their daughters were homeschooling also and we set up a meeting for lunch and the girls alhumdulih hit it off beautifully. Like some many other things here it is important to network and allow yourself to be open to others. Meeting other American families at first seemed difficult at times we felt as if we were the only Americans in Medina.
A family friend and his daughter come to visit sometimes but because they live in another city it is not very often. I have learned so much from this young lady about Saudi culture, education and sometimes racism. I find her very interesting being an American raised in Saudi almost since birth. Her Arabic is as flawless as her English. Also 16 she shares with me that life in Saudi is fun and she enjoys spending time with Americans whenever she gets a chance. Most of her friends are Arab but feels a close relationship with the community of Americans because many of them grew up together attending the same schools or living in the same neighborhoods. Even though she has visited Egypt and Europe she has not returned to the West since she was 3 she admits she has no desire to return but still has memories of several family members, the Flinstones and Brittney Spears lol. Just like some other teens she wants to travel the world attend college and has mixed feeling about getting married. Being only in 9th grade she has plenty of time to reconcile those feelings but her passion for reading fiction books and hanging out with her friends are pretty typical. "I still act very American I think, but that's ok I like who I am. I'm very popular at school because I am American".
My own daughter says " Allah is known for giving rewards, my best reward from him was living in Medina".

Rain

View of the city

Many of my moments in Medina are just little things I find moving, mesmerizing or motivating. Today was a day not unlike many others alhumdulilah Allah allowed us to wake to offer the fajr prayer, we prepared the children for school as we do all the time. I walked my daughter to school this morning but as we walked I felt the cool Medina breeze that so many speak about when coming here. During the winter months the temperature can be cool and you will have the nicest breeze in the mornings sometimes even the need for a sweater or light jacket may be necessary. The smell in the air was different the usual but because of the morning traffic and daily rush I wonder if others also took notice to the slight difference in the atmosphere. I told my husband it is such a nice morning but still a little warm. Later on in the morning through Allahs mercy we were able to enjoy the benefits of rain. Rain is one of those many blessings you began to really appreciate because it is so rarely experienced here in the desert. To the best of my recollection this is the second rain we have in about 7 months. The first rain I experienced here in Medina was a small storm that lasted several days it caused some flooding in many areas, mudslides and rock slides it was accompanied by thunder and lightning. I was told it was the first in years (Allah knows best). In Medina it is not uncommon to hear the Imams make dua for rain in the fajr salahs. The rain brings a welcomed coolness that can be missed in temperatures that can easily reach over a hundred degrees in May. The children ans I began or walk to class this afternoon deciding to take on the drizzle as we walked towards school but after a few minutes the drops began to come down at a faster pace and drench the ground suddenly we retraced our steps back home to escape that rain. All I could think about was sitting on the steps and letting the drops hit my face. Theses are small reminders to increase making dua. The weather in Medina is pretty constant there are winter months like December and January when the temperature is cool in the mornings and late in the evenings in comparison to the West it is still very warm for that time of year. The long time residence here say Medina has 2 months of winter. Areas like Jeddah and Mecca are almost always warm. Lately according to the Internet the last few days temperatures have been reported at 30 degrees Celsius(approx.86 degrees Fahrenheit) in the mornings. Even one day last week was reported to be 106 by the afternoon. Yes it can be very hot but this is an easy adjustment for most. Because of the extreme temperatures this is a society that does most of its business after asr when the sun is declining. Most appointments are made after then. Stores open, and the city comes to life in so many words after asr salah even more so during the month of Ramadan. I will never forget when my husband said the children had a dentist appointment once at midnight. Some say the day is night and the night is day.

The Royal palace from afar

Al Haram before and after prayer

Vacation

Any opportunity to make umrah and spend time with the family is always welcomed. These are the things I classify in my life as "Medina moments "even if they take place outside of Medina. Allah warns us in the Quran about time and how precious it is once it is gone it can never be replaced. So many of us our days are filled with hustle and bustle of daily chores, work, school and all those things in between. When ever I have a vacation from my routine I try to enjoy the moment. I find Medina to be very busy these last few weeks due to an insurgence of visitors many who were also on vacation last week and chose to visit Medina spending time with family and friends. My vacation was very wonderful (mashaAllah) allowing me to meet other muslimah from areas like Japan and just take time to have tea and conversation with new found friends. My husband decided to spend our last few vacation days in Jeddah which is a very busy city that reminds me of New York city in some ways. Jeddah is very popular for shopping, amusement parks and being so very close to Mecca aprox 45mins. or less driving. Many of our friends reside in Jeddah so it is always nice to visit with them.

Next we were on to Mecca. Mecca as always was very alive with people from all walks of life young and old we filled the Haram to offer salah and make tawaf around the Kaba. This umrah was very special because my young children were able to join us in making tawaf and see the Kaba for the first time. There little eyes overjoyed and my heart was full sharing this experince with them. I tried to make all the dua I could for those not with me but who I carry in my heart. I only pray that Allah accepts my intentions. After completing Umrah we rested for a few days and soon prepared to return home. The roads between Mecca, Jeddah and Medina will always keep you mesmerized with the vast area of desert and beautiful mountains you will see herds of camels, wild dogs and baboons. I have attached pictures of the baboons that swarmed our car in hopes of getting food, the lizard we found in our room and the camels that were being prepared for slaughter.

Baboons crossing the street
Yes! there is a baboon on the car
Camel meat before

and after

OMG! THERE IS A LIZARD IN MY ROOM!!

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.

Communication

As salaamu Alaikum: Someone once said just because you make hijrah or travel to a Muslim land doesn't mean unhappy things or sad things won't happen to you or affect you. The reality is yes, you will still get sick, you will still have those occasional disagreements with your spouse, your children will still work your nerves (as my mother use to say) and you will still feel sadness when you miss your loved ones. There are mixed emotions when you leave they are a great joy( inshaAllah), nervousness, feelings of excitement learning and exploring things about your new home. Connected to that overtime can also be a sense of home sickness. Leaving family behind can be the hardest thing you have to do when you decided to make hijrah. With Allah's guidance, your intentions to please your Lord, learn his religion and the desire to save you family from the negative effects of a non Islamic environment will become stronger. You will overcome your reluctance and hesitation. I love my family and I do miss them. I love Medina and it has become home for us.
Medina means so much to me because of it's significance and importance in Islamic history but also because it is a peaceful place. Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alihi wa salam) made the hijrah from Mecca to Medina. He made a home for himself and his family now my husband and our family are trying to establish ourselves here following in the footsteps (inshaAllah) of the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alihi wa salam) .
Keeping positive relationships going with family and friends in the West by telephone and email will become important when you start to have those (I miss you) feelings as I like to call them. I do not know what the cost is to call direct to the West from a land line the telephone service here is called Saudi Telcomm. There is also Mobily a popular cell phone provider as well as STC and Zain which I am not familiar. Mobily provides prepaid and contract cell phone service. You can also purchase Mobily to use for your home Internet like a wireless card. I have to admit the service has been great the Internet rarely goes out in Shakr and when it does it is only for a few minutes or so which is very common in the states also. I have Mobily as my cell phone carrier and you will be happy to know we get free incoming calls. We are able to receive most web sites here and I say most. You will find which is in my opinion is a good thing some websites do not meet Saudi standards and will be blocked.
Because the traditional system of writing letters and sending them through Saudi Post is basically obsolete. When trying to keep in touch with family and friends I suggest creating an email account (just in case you are that last person on earth that doesn't have one yet.) then get a web cam and microphone. There are several instant messenger programs like MSN, Yahoo, Gmail etc..you may use to chat or video call. The down side to video call and chatting you are bound to the computer sometimes to often or for long periods of time.
Your next options area services called Skype or Magic Jack for monthly or yearly fees you choice a plan and this allows you to make and receive calls to and from your computer. Magic Jack allows you to receive and make calls by utilizing your computer and home telephone. All the services mentioned require you to have Internet. I have used both and find them to be the most convenient way to keep in touch. The links are provided below.
http://www.magicjack.com/7/index.asp
http://www.skype.com/intl/en/useskype/

Water and Gas

After being here for sometime people have asked what are the houses like? Do you get more for your money? Are they bigger than in the states? The houses or villas in Medina are fabulous in many instances. The beauty will attract the eye of any onlooker. The simplicity of how construction is done here always amazes me. The construction workers begin with wood as the frame later brick and cement is add over time there will be a gorgeous looking home or apartment standing where there was once a hole in the dirt. Depending on the needs of your family rent can vary of course. In our area an apartment can run approx. 20,000 SR yearly which equates to approx. 530 USD a month for an unfurnished apartment. Coming from Pennsylvania I would have to say this is a good rate.

It is imperative that you understand the water system here. It is not uncommon to run out of water in various areas throughout Saudi. (Keep in mind this is the desert) Water trucks are used to pump water into underground pipes that filter into the homes. Very similar to the oil trucks used in the West for homes that have oil heat. Al humduliliah the area in which I live we rarely have a water shortage. Unfortunately some areas endure lack of water for various reasons like location. Medina is very mountainous new homes that have been developed in those areas often have to deal with water shortage. This can only be remedied by calling in a truck to replenish the pipes.

Cooking requires a match and propane. Yikes! don't be scared. Do you remember grandmas old stove that you had to turn on the gas and then light the burners? Well good it will be like you you never left. Yes, some ovens have the option to use electricity still they require a match to light the burners. There is no need for indoor thermostats attached to outrageous gas bills. The AC will become your best friend in the summer months. Which it is not uncommon to have AC in every room even the kitchen. Even on a beautiful cool Medina day the temperature is pretty warm compared to American standards. On a brisk morning you or the children may need a sweater. Some evenings can be chilly so bring your favorite fleece blanket. I am told that Mecca and Jeddah are always hot.

Here are some pictures just to give you a visual.

What I can see

Outside my frontdoor and My view walking home from my daughters school
When walking along the streets of Al Medina I can see the rich Islamic history all around with every masjid the beauty that echo’s from each sound of the athan piercing the soul. Islam comes alive in your heart. To lie under the same skies of Masjid Sunnah Nabawiyah, Masjid Quba, Masjid Qiblatan and to read about the battles fought at the foot of Mount Uhud while visiting the graves and send the salaams to those companions that fought side by side Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) and gave their lives for Islam is remarkable to say the least. My heart feels so good and my eyes sparkle like a child in the infamous candy store.Prophet Muhammad’s (SAWS) migration from Mecca to Medina was the beginning of monumental events that would change the lives of countless generations of Muslims and their families. The word of Islam would spread to regions around the world and draw the people to al Medina al Munawwarah meaning (The Radiant or Enlightened City) seeking the same peace and solace that was offered to Prophet Muhammad and his followers so many years ago. Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "Verily, Belief returns and goes back to Medina as a snake returns and goes back to its hole (when in danger)." Sahih Bukhari,Even today when we think of the women of Medina the names we hear are the same passed down for generations Khadijah, Aisha, and Fatima but the faces are so clearly reflective of Allah’s mercy and his greatness. I have had the opportunity and honor to get to know some of the women who now live in Medina, Saudi Arabia. It has been said that America is a “melting pot”. This may be so in some aspects but the melting pot of the women of Medina is an assemblage of cultures of people brought together by their love for Allah, Islam and all that it embodies.

Masjid across the street, the mountains are the background. My view from the backroom

Traveling w/children

As salamu alaikum: As many of us know traveling alone can be difficult and when traveling with children it is just a fitnah that requires alot of sabr. The flight from Pennsylvania to Medina is approx. 14 hours in the air. You must fly into Jeddah and then connect to Medina. I mention this because again preparation is key to any successful travel. If you have small children I recommend if at all possible book a direct evening flight if it is an option. I say this for several reasons. Encourage your children to sleep the majority of the trip. This can give you an opportunity to avoid anxiety, restlessness and behavior issues. Come prepared with coloring books, reading material or even your favorite reciter on your Ipod. Many children have problems dealing with the pressure they may feel from the ears due to the airplanes altitude. Chewing gum, ear plugs or even allowing infants to drink from a bottle can relieve some of the uncomfort. A few years ago our family moved to Morocco (flight time approx. 8hrs.) this departure was an 8pm our youngest child an infant at the time nursed and slept almost the entire trip alhumdulilah. I felt bad for some of the other passengers children crying parents walking up and down the isle trying to soothe children. As much as some of us like to look out the window and see the amazing view from the air. Allow the children to have window seats this will also play as a distraction to pass time. There are several airlines that can transport you to and from Jeddah research peak and off fares and promotions. My experience on Saudi Air has been excellent. The flight is direct and the service is child friendly. I feel comfortable when the pilot makes dua before taking off. During Ramadan sahoor is served before fajr and even on the Thursday flights dates are given to those who may be fasting. MashaAllah. Many of the planes are very spacious with a small musella area in the rear to offer salah.
Luggage is the the second most important part to having a stress free trip. Go on line, call customer service but ALWAYS check the baggage weight restrictions for your airline. Over weight luggage can be the beginning of a nightmare for you. Overweight luggage can delay your boarding and can be expensive if you are not prepared. Simply to avoid this buy or borrow an inexpensive in home scale weigh yourself then hold the luggage have some one read the new weight subtract the new weight from your weight this will tell you how much your luggage weighs and allows you time to reorganize before getting to the airport. If possible bring an additional empty bag with you if needed. My advice is to always adhere to the sunnah and the advice of the Ulema and have your husband or a mahram with you when ever possible so that these issues can be a little less stressful when the entire family is traveling together.

Preparation

As saalamu Alaikum:
I have to admit my choice to create a blog was motivated by another sisters blog that I read often and I find it creative as well as informative to all who have the niyyah (intention) to make hijrah. Thank you Yemeni Niqabi. My intention is to share my feelings and experiences I encountered preparing to move from Pennsylvania and my life now in Medina.
Preparation to make hijrah should be a very calculated event in your life. Moving from one country to another is not only a major event in any ones life but can be a costly event. The first step and most important to coming to Medina is PASSPORTS and VISA'S. If you are like me and have a large family (5 children plus an extended family) begin getting passports when you are able to afford them. Currently the rate for children under 16 is $60 each plus processing fees. Any teen over 16 is $75 if you have plans to leave immediately and need your passports expedited add an additional $60 each. Always check for rate changes and requirements on travel.state.gov. Secondly research details about your new potential home. Find out facts from others who already live there and read literature about visa cost and requirements. The Internet can be a useful tool visit the countries embassy web site or always a blog or two to learn as much useful information as possible that may help you on your way.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia requires a visa to enter and to leave. This is a very important matter because there have been many who come and stay sometime then go to the airport to depart with ticket in hand and unable to do so because they have never gotten that all to important EXIT VISA.