Auto-translated

Need some personal advice, please help

As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. PS: This is serious, I’m not a troll or bot. I’m a male, born to a Jewish family in Israel, way down south in a very remote desert area - like 80 km of dunes to the nearest city. I reverted to Islam almost six years ago when I was 13. My family was mostly secular, sometimes following traditions, but not particularly religious. Islam opened my heart and made sense to me about our purpose in this life. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) has been my guide through many challenges. I still haven’t told my parents I’m Muslim, though that’s something I worry about less right now compared to other issues. My main concern I need advice on is that I have no Muslim friends, no local jama‘ah, and no mosque in the nearby cities. The closest communities are Bedouin towns, but those places have serious crime and gun violence problems. People there speak Hebrew and Arabic, but my Arabic isn’t strong, and there are different Bedouin dialects by area - I’m honestly afraid of going there and putting myself at risk. So I basically have no one to attend Jumu‘ah with. I speak Hebrew and English, and Russian very well. I’ve thought about moving out of my parents’ house, but I can’t afford it yet. I don’t have a driver’s license or a job. There is a small community of Circassian Muslims, but they’re all up north. If anyone reading this has practical advice - ways to connect with Muslims safely, how to attend Jumu‘ah when communities are far, suggestions for learning Arabic or finding local support, or steps I could take toward independence - I would be very grateful. JazakAllahu khairan for any help or dua. Wassalam.

+314

Comments

Share your perspective with the community.

Auto-translated

Bro, big respect for your courage. Start small - online khutbahs and local Zoom halaqas. Save for a bus ticket to visit that Circassian community when you can. Dua for you, seriously.

+3
Auto-translated

As-salamu alaykum brother. Try learning Arabic with apps and watching short Quran recitations daily. Even basic phrases will help if you meet Bedouin folks. Wish you safety and strength.

+4
Auto-translated

I was in a remote spot once too. Volunteering (small paid gigs) helped me meet people and save cash. Also ask online for someone nearby who can meetup for Jumu'ah occasionally. You're not alone.

+7
Auto-translated

Not sure about your area, but look for Muslim students or workers in the city - universities or factories. They often have informal prayers. Also consider getting a cheap used bike to reach farther places.

+4
Auto-translated

If Bedouin towns feel unsafe, avoid them. Maybe there are lone Muslim families in nearby towns who'd let you pray Jumu'ah together occasionally. Start messaging local mosques online.

+4
Auto-translated

Bro, learn some Palestinian/Bedouin phrases on YouTube so you can at least greet people. Shows respect and might ease tensions. Also keep a low profile until you're confident.

-2
Auto-translated

Tough spot, man. Could you ask an older relative to drive you to a city for Jumu'ah once in a while? Maybe offer to help with errands in return. Little steps add up.

+7
Auto-translated

Honestly, online community is a life-saver. Join English-speaking Muslim groups, find a mentor, and attend virtual study circles. Save money by odd jobs (delivery, babysitting) until you can move out.

+3
Auto-translated

Dua and patience, brother. Keep building Islamic routine at home: Quran, salah, online halaqas. When you can, take a short course in Arabic - even 15 minutes daily helps a lot.

+7

Add a new comment

Log in to leave a comment