Feeling Like an Outsider in Muslim Communities When You Don't Speak Arabic?
Assalamu alaikum everyone, I'm a Muslim from Southeast Asia and I don't speak Arabic. I studied it for nine years in school, but becoming truly fluent hasn't been easy. I'm now living in a Western country, and although it's not my first year here, this Ramadan was the first time I really tried to join the international Muslim community. There have been several times I've felt 'left out' in this community, like being a minority within a minority, which has made me question some aspects of how Islam is practiced. First, at community iftars, there are many moments when everyone just speaks Arabic – not even the kind I remember learning – which makes me feel like I don't belong. Second, I've noticed what feels like male superiority, where men seem to have more opportunities to participate in ibadah. For example, the masjid here is open to men more days than women, and the women's section is only two rows while men get what seems like two whole rooms. I never experienced this in my home country, where everyone had equal rights and chances to pray regardless of gender. I understand culture might play a role, but it still adds to my doubts. Third, some people – especially Arabic speakers – like to police others. The madhab I grew up with differs from what most Muslims worldwide follow, so some practices vary (like salah movements or determining Ramadan's start). From my understanding, following any of the recognized imams is acceptable, and policing others seems unnecessary. Community leaders often say, 'This is what we decide, follow us,' rather than, 'Based on our discussion with these scholars, this seems best, but if you follow others, that's okay – wallahu 'alam bisshawab.' Fourth – and this bothers me most – during every qunut dua, the imam recites additional duas in Arabic beyond those from Quran and hadith, and everyone starts crying. Honestly, instead of immersing myself in dua, I wonder: 'Is this how the religion I was born into should be practiced? Am I included here? Is this really for everyone?' If these duas must be in Arabic, it makes my doubts clearer. Is Islam truly rahmatan lil alamin, or just for Arabs or Arabic speakers? I have no doubt in my heart that Allah exists, is One, hears me, and has always helped me. Maybe Islam is rahmatan lil alamin but is sometimes practiced incorrectly? To my fellow non-Arabic speaking Muslims: have you felt this way? How do you view these situations? Wa alaikum assalam.