[allmyflights]

Assalaam Alikum.

I'm a 22-year old white convert to Islam living in Florida and I would like to move to the UAE after college (which should be no more than 3 years away). I'm really thinking about moving to Dubai because it's very westernized and therefore should be less of a culture shock for me.


Now, I'm hoping to get a degree is sales here in America. I currently have a job so I can start saving money. Now, how exactly would I move to the UAE?

I won't be bringing much with me. I want to start fresh. I'll have a basic amount of clothes and stuff like that. I obviously can't bring my car with me so I'll need to sell that. I'm thinking I could ride a bike in Dubai until I can get a car. They sell bikes in Dubai, yes?


What should I do about drivers licenses? Obviously, a Florida license won't work in Dubai. Would I need to take a driver's test again in UAE or could they possibly transfer the information?


I'll need a job preferably before I move there. How can I apply for a job from America? It doesn't have to be a major career. Even something small just to get my foot in the door.

I'll obviously need a place to stay. Where can I search for apartments in Dubai? Would roommates help the issue like they would in America?


About money, I know there is not a Bank of America in Dubai so I'll probably need to close my account with BOA and withdraw all my money. Would there be a way to transfer my money into a bank in Dubai? I'm extremely worried about carrying all my money with me on the way there. If it gets stolen or something, I'll be completely broke.


Also, as some of you know, I grow carnivorous plants. I have a 20-gallon terrarium in my room for them. How would I be able to transfer this to Dubai? I'm fairly certain that there is no way they can ship a tank there without breaking it. How can I get all my plants to Dubai? Would I be allowed to uproot the plants, wrap them in bags, and carry them with me? I know it sounds illegal, but these are plants that I legally purchased from nurseries.



I also know I will need a passport. Is there a way I can be a dual citizen of both USA and UAE? Or should I just focus on being an immigrant in UAE? I've never moved to another country before (not even another city). How should I do this?



These are big questions right now. I'll probably have more later.

[T5qYkHWQ]

Brother firstly why do you want to move to uae? What are your objectives? Such decisions cannot be made over night. I know most people who have lived in the west could never live for a long time in a place like uae or the majority of muslim countries.

If you are moving for islamic reasons then in someways the UAE is better. i.e. You will be able to get 5 times salah in the masjid inshallah, all toilets have proper washing facilities for muslims and masjids are everywhere. If you have a wife she will be more comfortable in a niqab. However islamically a city like london or Toronoto or maybe even Chicago has a lot more to offer than the UAE. You will see less people with a beard in UAE than you see in London for example and many people discriminate against bearded people.

The decision also depends on your skin colour. The ligher skin you have the better you will be treated and if you are the whiteman then you are king in UAE. So if you are whiteman you will get a lot of attention and make friends quickly and you can use this opportunity to give dawah to the many people whose main objective in life seems to be only getting the latest car, watching the latest american movies and copying the kuffar in everything.

The best way to find a job is to look online.

Personally my own suggestion is you stay in the US but move to a muslim majority area and you work for a few years as without experience you will not find a job in the UAE. In this period you apply for jobs online etc.

If you are thinking that migrating to UAE will increase your imaan or something then this is not the case. Actually for most people it will decrease their imaan. In my opinion London is probably a good place for hijrah if you want to become more islamic.

[patuvammnogoo]

Brother firstly why do you want to move to uae? What are your objectives? Such decisions cannot be made over night. I know most people who have lived in the west could never live for a long time in a place like uae or the majority of muslim countries.

If you are moving for islamic reasons then in someways the UAE is better. i.e. You will be able to get 5 times salah in the masjid inshallah, all toilets have proper washing facilities for muslims and masjids are everywhere. If you have a wife she will be more comfortable in a niqab. However islamically a city like london or Toronoto or maybe even Chicago has a lot more to offer than the UAE. You will see less people with a beard in UAE than you see in London for example and many people discriminate against bearded people.

The decision also depends on your skin colour. The ligher skin you have the better you will be treated and if you are the whiteman then you are king in UAE. So if you are whiteman you will get a lot of attention and make friends quickly and you can use this opportunity to give dawah to the many people whose main objective in life seems to be only getting the latest car, watching the latest american movies and copying the kuffar in everything.

The best way to find a job is to look online.

Personally my own suggestion is you stay in the US but move to a muslim majority area and you work for a few years as without experience you will not find a job in the UAE. In this period you apply for jobs online etc.

If you are thinking that migrating to UAE will increase your imaan or something then this is not the case. Actually for most people it will decrease their imaan. In my opinion London is probably a good place for hijrah if you want to become more islamic.

I am white, yes.

[joe-salton]

I concur with most of the sentiment of London 786.
I have a better chance of learning Arabic in London then UAE!! More avenus for relegious imprvment then most of GCC in UK or US, Canda. More avenues to go Juhud then giving into worldy benefits in UK, US, canda then GCC.
Just like brother in law can be death for newly married wife, so is moving to GCC unless you are full fledge daiee and is connected to Shaikh of tassawuf and Shariah

[effenseshoora]

brother nomadic is very right but you as a whiteman may actually like it. So I would tell you that you should come UAE with the intention of dawah being a whiteman who will be seen as superior. The people will listen to your every word even if you are talking nonsense as they are mentally enslaved by the whiteman. Trust me you can be a council estate white person from dagenham and get more respect than a surgeon from india. But instead of white kuffar taking advantage of this inferiority complex I would suggest that some of our white muslim brothers come to uae and give dawah to the people by talking to them about islam, growing a beard etc. If you come UAE connect with tablighi jamaat or try and go umrah very often (cheap flights or even cheaper journey by road) and this will help you with your imaan.

[Green_Monkey23]

bro.

From what i heard the current situation in Dubai seems dull. Qatar is more promising and a lot more Job opportunities.

As for transferring the money. You don't have to close the account. Usually most of the bank accounts have Netbanking. So you can transfer the money to your new bank online. Ask the bank if they issue international debt cards, just to survive till you get a new account.

What degree are you studying in college?

[DraidodaRip]

bro.

From what i heard the current situation in Dubai seems dull. Qatar is more promising and a lot more Job opportunities.

As for transferring the money. You don't have to close the account. Usually most of the bank accounts have Netbanking. So you can transfer the money to your new bank online. Ask the bank if they issue international debt cards, just to survive till you get a new account.

What degree are you studying in college?

I'm studying general education right now, but once I get my AA degree, I'm going to focus on sales. I like to sell stuff and I don't see this as a disappearing career.


I don't want to live rich or anything. I just want to live modestly. Also, UAE is a Muslim country, but it's very westernized which I like. I don't want to experience a culture shock or anything.


I'm still thinking about moving to California, but I really want to get out of America altogether. It looks like the country is going to implode economically, socially, politically, etc. I basically want to abandon ship and start fresh in a new country that still would be similar to America but I can practice Islam freely without worrying about politicians trying to deport Muslims/ban Masjids or rednecks going on Muslim-hunting parties, etc.


I'm honestly a flexible person when it comes to jobs. I like to sell stuff, but I can honestly do whatever a manager tells me to do (within reason).

[Piediahef]

I'm studying general education right now, but once I get my AA degree, I'm going to focus on sales. I like to sell stuff and I don't see this as a disappearing career.


I don't want to live rich or anything. I just want to live modestly. Also, UAE is a Muslim country, but it's very westernized which I like. I don't want to experience a culture shock or anything.

Assalamu alaikum.

Ok that good. Study well bro. As i mentioned qatar is very much like Uae. Not much difference. I have been to Abu Dhabi, Uae in the past many times. Its been almost 8 years since i last visited. People say there are lots of negatives in Uae or Qatar. But there are few undeniable advantages:

1. Close to Makkah, easier for Making Hajj or Umrah.
2. Lots and lots of Mosques. Its a heartwarming experience.
3. Most of the people are Muslims. (practicing or not)

Sales is a good branch. I do not know what AA degree equivalent is. Eventually if you can get an Mba, you will be well off .

[Gozmand]

Ask after 3 years.

[JoZertekAdv]

I would not recommend moving to UAE untill you become competent in your career. It is a wrong move professionaly to work in Gulf in the early stages.
GCC country do not give citizenship!! UAE is not a cheap place and unless you are earning 20,000 AED permonth, it will be tough but doable. Rent will take a big chunk out of your salary. So expat package is what you need. If you share, the rent might come down to 4000 AED/pcm. Driving licence is easy to convert from US to UAE.
But I strongly advise against moving to GCC without having a solid grounding in your chosen profession.

Will have to agree with brother Nomadic and London786.

* You shouldnt make a move to the gulf countries unless you already have a flourished career with big degrees even if you want to live a modest life.

* If you are considering to practise islam, then that is wrong assumption. UAE is just like other gulf countires. Yemen would be far more better if you want to practise islam. Saudia is a killer, Qatar, kuwait and Oman are possibilties if you want both.

* There is more racial discrimination in gulf than anywhere else. From your neighbour to your salary.

* I have met white brothers who travelled to Gulf for the sake of learning islam and their disappointment was mountainous.

* you CANNOT learn arabi in gulf. Its a fact. Unless you grew up with the khaleejis that too sometimes doesnt help.

[Tam04xa]

Forget about the Bike. Its so hot and humid here (and with the helmet ) its very difficult to drive a bike. Arabs drive like crazy (Not like Saudi ) but still Bikes are dangerous here.

For jobs , you can check UAE's local newspaper . www.gulfnews.com and goto the jobs section.

If you want to live moderately , its not that expensive. Living will cost you around 24000 aed per annum.

Masajids are everywhere, you get to listen azaan 5 times a day.

[Eunatis]

Ask after 3 years.

Best advice

[treawittelf]

Since you have 3 years, kind of no point in asking so soon. Your choices can change.

What type of things do you want 'westernized' ?

[Pjayjukr]

How much is 24000 aed in British pounds? just curious.

[Crazykz]

I would not recommend moving to UAE untill you become competent in your career. It is a wrong move professionaly to work in Gulf in the early stages.
GCC country do not give citizenship!! UAE is not a cheap place and unless you are earning 20,000 AED permonth, it will be tough but doable. Rent will take a big chunk out of your salary. So expat package is what you need. If you share, the rent might come down to 4000 AED/pcm. Driving licence is easy to convert from US to UAE.
But I strongly advise against moving to GCC without having a solid grounding in your chosen profession.

Middle East is a very dangerous place , since there is a possibility of a big war in that zone. More on this issue is in this thread.

##############
http://www.threeworldwars.com/world-war-3/ww3.htm

These are, I believe, the stages of the planned Third World War:

* Prelude - The events leading up to the start of World War Three, including Sept 11, 2001.
* Act 1 - The Middle East. Widespread conflict to bring the entire region into the flames of war, possibly triggered by Iran or militants in Pakistan using North Korean supplied nuclear arms. The first Scene in this Act is the US Invasion of Iraq on March 20, 2003.
############

[onlineslotetes]

How much is 24000 aed in British pounds? just curious.

Around 4000 pounds.

[Raj_Copi_Jin]

People in Government places in UAE are not that good. Today i visited jail to meet and handover some clothes to my friend who is in jail. They dint allow me and said come on monday morning. i said his clothes are dirty and he told me to bring some clothes.
How will he pray in those dirty clothes. he said i dont know. I requested him to atleast pass the clothes to my friend and he replied " MONDAY MORNING "

[kavaTeexy]

To live in 24000 is only possible if you live in a room with 5 people which i would advise against more so if you are cocasian! your bike insurance will set you back 400AED, commuting will set you back quiet a lot on montly basis. A monthly bus pass in Abudhabi is cheaper then Dubai and cost 40 AED. If you are driving car mot is per year and set you back around 100 AED.
your internet bill will set you back 79 AED. Your emirates id card will have to be renewed every year 100AED + intial cost of 175 AED. Electricity and water bill will very from place to place.
Food will very from the types of food you eat.
Whoever said 24000 need to check where he lives (not in the middle of desert or some labour camp)

As for yemen, there is no Job there.
I would say if you think USA is bad, go to canada. We need muslim who are cocasian under the guidance of scholar doing the effort of deen in wise manner in the western countries. Our skin colour and often our insensetive grasp of language and culture often put people off from Deen. So it might be that you are born in USA to do just that. Study hard, connect yourself to a scholar and uplift your community

[InvertPrete]

Br Wolf,

If you really want to move, I'd recommend you moving to Istanbul. It's a beautiful modern, yet ancient city full of spiritual joy, peace and tranquility. Easy to move, cheap, people are very hospitable, many traditional madrasah and a lot of job opportunities..

[bapimporb]

ignore moving to turkey where u cant even grow a beard withinout hindrance. UAE has more religion than Turkey anyday of the week.