Islam in Alabama

Assalaamu Alaikum,

For those that follow this blog, forgive me for not writing in a while. Things have changed dramatically in my househould. Alhamdulillah nothing tragic, but dramatic nonetheless.

Generally, I prefer not to use this blog for personal posts. I always intended it as a companion blog for my primary site Islamic Learning Materials. However, I feel that I am embarking on a new beginning and it will have a big impact on me as a Muslim, husband, and father, Inshallah.

As most of you know, the economy in America is pretty bad right now. I am still employed, Alhamdulillah, but I have been effected. The company I work for, an airline, has cut our hours big time. I am essentially working just part time. It isn’t enough to take care of my family.

My hours decreased back in August and I’ve been looking for work ever since. There were a few close calls, but nothing came through. The lease on my apartment expired at the end of November, and my wife and I realized we would not be able to renew it. We just don’t make enough money.

So rather than move into a cheaper apartment (which would entail a more dangerous neighborhood) we decided to make some big changes.

I’ve lived in Atlanta for the past six years. My grandfather owns some land in Alabama. He accepted Shahada just a few months before his mind started to deteriorate.  He can no longer live on the land due to his condition and he now lives with my mother who takes care of him.

My mother always wanted me to fix up the property so it wouldn’t go to waste. I wanted to also, but knew that it would be difficult on my income (even when I was working fulltime, we were only just barely making ends meet). But when my income went down and we moved out of our apartment, it suddenly became a necessity.

So I decided to move to Alabama while my wife and kids stayed in Atlanta with her mother.

My grandfather’s house is very old and very decrepit. There is a lot of open space, so that is good. There is also a working well with good water. But the house is not yet livable. And at any rate, I still don’t make enough money with my current job.

So what’s the plan? Inshallah, I hope to somehow find a job in Alabama, move my family here, and fix up my grandfather’s land…which will then become my land.

In the meantime, I’m staying with my (non-Muslim) family in Alabama while my wife and kids are all in Atlanta. And it’s difficult. My oldest child is eight and the youngest is two and might be autistic. It is a very difficult time for us as we don’t know what the future holds. Until I find stable work, I can’t begin to fix up that house and reunite with my family. However, Inshallah, I’m praying that Allah blesses me with something soon.

So while I’m here in Alabama (Birmingham to be exact) I’m going to try to get to know more about the Muslim community here. And I will discuss my observances Inshallah. And I will keep you posted on how things turn out.

May Allah make it easy on us all.