A sister without a mahram

[Tazkiyyah]

Assalaamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuh,

I pray you are all well.

I was after some advice inshaAllah.

Are there any sisters with children living in Tarim without a mahram? What is it like? How do you do things like grocery shopping etc.? I'm assuming women don't go out by themselves? What other issues have you faced?

I have a 2 year old alhamdulillah so I would have to fit studying, etc. around him. How do sisters with children cope with studying?

Are there sisters who homeschool their children?

I don't speak any Arabic. Are there any beginner's classes or private tutors?

Would it be possible for someone in my situation to move permanently to Tarim?

How much are living costs approximately?

Is it possible to get internet connection in your home, even if you rent? How much would it cost to buy a house?

Is there anything else I need to know?

My heart has always been drawn to Tarim but I don't know how realistic it is to be there now that my situation has changed.

Duaas requested.

Wassalaamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuh,

[SASLAMS]

wa alaykum salaam

Are there any sisters with children living in Tarim without a mahram? What is it like? How do you do things like grocery shopping etc.? I'm assuming women don't go out by themselves? What other issues have you faced?

yes there are sisters but it is tuff. you would need to find a sister with a husband willing to do all your day to day shoping & bill paying, visa & iqaamah enquiries. you could also give your shopping list to a taxi driver whom you trust-we could help you find one.woman do go out-Tarim is fast changing but western sisters are adviced to spend very little or no time in the souq,especialy without a mahram.

I have a 2 year old alhamdulillah so I would have to fit studying, etc. around him. How do sisters with children cope with studying?

Many sisters take kids to lessons if they are not a problem, there is a kindergarden if the kid is "potty trained". the cost is only $15 per month

Are there sisters who homeschool their children?

most families home school their kids & some just send their kids to local Tarimi schools.these schools are really not bad for third world standards

I don't speak any Arabic. Are there any beginner's classes or private tutors?

there are many private tutors that will charge about $2.5 per hour. Dar zahrah is in the process of arranging a 2 Yr beginers program

Would it be possible for someone in my situation to move permanently to Tarim?

it wouldnt be possible to stay long term in these conditions. it will be very expensive & remember if you dont have someone back home sending you money it will be very difficult. it is never good for a lady to stay alone. in Tarimi culture evan men dont stay alone. when you say permanently do you mean as a citizen, that could be difficult

How much are living costs approximately?

it depends on you life style & the life style you wish to adopet. we were spending less that $100 per month excluding rent but including everything else. but we only had one kid.most westerners spend upto $500 per month excluding rent for a family of five. you could do with far less

Is it possible to get internet connection in your home, even if you rent? How much would it cost to buy a house?

yes this is possible with the co operation with you landlord-it is cheap also. I have no idea how much a house will cost but near dar mustafa houses are expensive. the house I stayed in, the owner bought for YR 11 000 000 = $55 000 but this was about 10 years ago & now he says that it is valued at YR22 000 000

Is there anything else I need to know?

difficult to think of now but if you think of anything let me know

My heart has always been drawn to Tarim but I don't know how realistic it is to be there now that my situation has changed.

one thing you will need is loads of sabr. alot of things will happen in tarim that would just send the unprepared back home. but you need to be patient & do as adviced by the Habaib & it will be better

Duaas requested.

[Tazkiyyah]

JazakAllahu khair for your prompt reply. It was very helpful.

What I meant was Is it possible to move to Tarim and live there rather than just going to study?

jazakAllahu khair.

[SASLAMS]

just to live without study is difficult especialy because of all security issues. Yemen has evan stoped granting visas to tourist from many western countries. you would need a student visa. & dar mustafa is very strict on issueing visas. i dont think that it will be possible unless you have special permission from Habib Umar. in the past Murids whould come over & stay long term without study. but at this moment I dont think that it is possible.

fi amaanillah

[Tazkiyyah]

JazakAllahu khair for your replies.

I am inshaAllah going to study Arabic here before I decide to go to Tarim, as it will be easier.

Wassalaamu Alaykum,