The Purpose of the Balanced Middle Path

www.Thebalancedmiddlepath.com

The Balanced Middle Path web site grew out of an observation and concern I
have had for several years that some Muslims have failed to grasp the balanced
nature of implementing Islam in everyday life.
Unfortunately some of these Muslims are motivated by a number of attitudes and
behaviors that keep them unbalanced and confused about how the early
generations of Muslims practiced and implemented Islam.
We believe the Balanced Middle Path inspires attitudes and behaviors that earn
merit for Muslims. This merit conforms to our willingness and ability to become
engaged enough to implement the Sunnah in daily life.
We present here some of the broad categories of merit that should inform the
main domains of everyday life.

Broad Categories that Affirm the Balanced Middle Path

• I want to please Allah

• I want to understand how to implement the Sunnah in my daily affairs
• I want to be a Student of Knowledge or a Scholar
• I want to avoid or leave innovations
• I want to call others to the authentic Sunnah

Broad Categories to Apply the Sunnah upon the Balanced Middle Path
• Personal Development
• Family Life, Marriage, and raising children
• Educational Aspirations
• Business Pursuits
• Inviting Mankind to Islam


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How to Make a Successful Hijrah:
Practical Steps to Obtain the Tools You Need to Flourish in the Land of the
Muslims
By Prof. Zaid Adib Ansari
Part 1
The legislation for Hijrah-evidence from Quran and Sunnah
The Quran

Indeed, those whom the angels take [in death] while wronging themselves - [the
angels] will say, "In what [condition] were you?" They will say, "We were
oppressed in the land." The angels will say, "Was not the earth of Allah spacious
[enough] for you to emigrate therein?" For those, their refuge is Hell - and evil it is
as a destination
Know, may Allah have mercy on me and you, that there are many statements of
the scholar regarding the obligation of Hijrah on the person that:
1. Has the ability to make Hijrah
2. Fears from fitnah, and
3. Does not have the ability to openly manifest his Religion amongst the
disbelievers.
4. Hadith from Umar ibn Al Khaatab on Niyah that the Prophet mentioned Hijrah.


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 Administrative Readiness
Passport Services can be accessed at your local post office. Be aware that
passport clearance is contingent on not having child support arrears exceeding
$5,000 and there are no current felony warrants pending.

Acceptance Application Total

Passport Services
Fee Fee Fees

Passport Book Age 16 and over $25 $110 $135

Passport Book Under Age 16 $25 $80 $105

Passport Card Age 16 and over $25 $30 $55

Passport Card Under Age 16 $25 $15 $40

Passport Book & Card Age 16 and over $25 $140 $165

Passport Book & Card Under Age 16 $25 $95 $120

Legal and Medical Readiness

Next step for readiness is to bring or obtain a copy of your marriage certificate. If
you don’t have a state sponsored marriage certificate, it will be difficult to transact
business for your family like sponsoring them on your work VISA, or getting a
VISA for Umrah or Hajj. Nevertheless, thebalancedmiddlepath.com will help you
obtain an Islamically valid marriage certificate.

Please send us a note requesting assistance to obtain an Islamicaly valid

marriage license at info@thebalancedmiddlepath.com

Almost all countries have medical screening in place in order for one to obtain a
work visa or residence visa. The following countries require some combination of
the following medical screens: HIV, TB, Hepatitis B & C and Syphilis. Re-testing
is required for visa renewal.
Another consideration to assess medical care and hospitalization facilities may
not be what one is use to in America, Canada or the UK. It is not untypical to
obtain antibiotics over the counter and doctors may rush through a diagnosis and
refer you to pick medication from the pharmacy yourself.
Age limits for work and residence visas in the Gulf countries are 60 years old
unless one has an exempted occupation that is usually restricted to higher-level
professional occupations.
Budget and Financial Considerations


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We have installed a Budget Builder software application on the
Balancedmidlepath.com as well as a guide for visa regulations. The tool will help
a user assess budget or financial readiness for 1 year for each of the following
countries.
Some of the Suggested Countries for Hijrah
1. Bahrain: www.evisa.gov.bh
2. Egypt: http://cairo.usembassy.gov Contact
www.thebalancedmiddlepath.com
3. Gambia: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1121.html
4. Contact www.thebalancedmiddlepath.com
5. Kuwait: http://www.kuwaitiah.net/visa1.html
6. Mauritania: http://mauritaniaembassy.us/ Contact
www.thebalancedmiddlepath.com
7. Morocco: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_975.html
8. Oman: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_991.html
9. Saudi Arabia: http://riyadh.usembassy.gov/
10. Contact www.thebalancedmiddlepath.com
11. Senegal: http://dakar.usembassy.gov/immigrant_visas.html
12. Contact www.thebalancedmiddlepath.com
10.Sudan: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1029.html
Contact www.thebalancedmiddlepath.com
11. Qatar: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1003.html
12. United Arab Emirates: http://dubai.usconsulate.gov/dubai/gvi.html
Contact www.thebalancedmiddlepath.com


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 Example of Typical Gulf States Visa Requirements
UAE VISA REQUIREMENTS

Generally the application process for a residence visa involves the following
steps.
Sponsor applies for an entry permit, if applicable (employment visa for
employee, relative visit visa for relative, etc). For nationals of countries,
which get a free, visit visa on arrival, this step is often omitted but is aware
if working that it is illegal without an employment entry visa, or a work
permit.
After entry, the residence visa applicant needs to go to a government hospital
or medical clinic for a health check. The medical check is a blood test and
chest X-ray for HIV (AIDS), Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Tuberculosis (TB),
Leprosy, and Syphilis. If results come back positive for any of those
conditions, the person is deported, except for syphilis that is treated. TB
cases are quarantined first then deported. There are various reports
saying Hepatitis B and/or C cases are definitely deported, might be
deported, might not be deported, and so on. Assume the worst unless you
can find out otherwise from the UAE immigration department or UAE
Ministry of Health (and keep in mind it's possible to get conflicting reports
from them).
Expat or sponsor's PRO goes back to residency department with passport,
medical test results, salary certificate if required, tenancy agreement if
required, documents verifying relationship between sponsor and sponsee
(if that's a word) for example marriage certificate for spouse. Any
certificates should be notarized, attested, and rolled up with a nice ribbon
around them.
At the residency department, find the typing office first, they will have an
application form and collect the fees. Then follow their instructions. It
sometimes looks like a bit of a mess but just bring a magazine to read,
and a bottle of water, and it will work out eventually.
Come back in a few days to collect your passport with a nice new resident's
visa stamped in it. Or your PRO will do that and hand it back to you at the
office. Or if you're one of the 50% (reportedly in November 2009) whose
passports are kept by employers and/or sponsors, complain to them, the
labor department, the immigration department, and/or your
consulate/embassy. Unless you're happy for your employer to keep your
passport. It's illegal according to numerous reports but nothing will ever be
done about it unless people keep complaining.


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The main entry requirement of obtaining a visa in the United Arab Emirates
(UAE) and its seven emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al
Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah) are that your passport is valid for at least
2-6 months before your arrival. Information about the various UAE visa
categories is explained in detail below.

Visit Visas A visit visa applies to tourists who wish to spend more than 14 days in
the UAE, whether it is to visit relatives or for business purposes. The categories
given below identify whether an individual requires a visit visa before arrival or
whether one can be issued to them at the airport or entry point.

AGCC Citizens of the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) member states
(Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia) do not need a visa.

AGCC Residents -AGCC expatriate residents may obtain a non-renewable

30-day visit visa upon arrival.

British Citizens -Residents of the UK, with the right to abide in the United
Kingdom, may obtain a free visa on arrival, which is valid for 60 days and
can be renewed for an additional 30 days for Dhs. 500 (US$ 137). Holders of
the British Overseas Citizens Passport, who don’t have the right to abide in
the UK, will also obtain the free visa.

33-Privileged Countries : There are 33 countries that are given the same on
arrival free UAE visa on arrival similar to UK citizens. These countries
include citizens of France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium,
Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal,
Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Finland, Malta, Spain, Monaco, Vatican City,
Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, United States (US), Canada,
Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong
Kong. A new law was passed on March 31st 2003, where the citizens of
these 33 countries can only obtain a one-month non-renewable visit visa on
arrival, which costs Dhs. 100 (US$ 28). Though the government officially
passed this law, it does not seem to be always implemented.

Other Nationalities (Tourist Visas) Citizens of countries that are not

mentioned above require the sponsorship of a UAE resident (relative or
friend), hotel, travel agency, or company, in order to obtain a visit visa. This
type of visit visa is also known as the tourist visa. For a relative or friend to
sponsor a tourist visa, he or she must earn over Dhs. 4,000 per month and
hold a valid residence visa. A hotel can sponsor a tourist visa, only if the
visitor stays at the hotel, and they will hold your passport until all hotel
payments are cleared. Procedures involved in issuing a tourist visa require
that the visitor fill out a visa application form and submit it to the sponsor
along with a first few pages of their passport. With these details, the sponsor
can apply for a tourist visa, which will cost Dhs. 650 (US$ 178) and take a
maximum of 7 days to issue. The sponsor must deposit the visitor's tourist


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visa at the airport immigration at least one hour before the visitor's flight
arrivals, which will cost Dhs. 10 (US$ 3) for processing.

Transit Visas: This type of visa is a 4-day (96 hour) visa, which is issued by
sponsorship of an airline operating in the United Arab Emirates. A transit visa can
only be issued if a visitor has a valid ticket for an onward flight and the issuing of
transit visas are normally free of cost.

Other Visit Visas: There are two other types of visit visas issued by the UAE
government. The first is a 14-day visa, also known as an Entry Service Permit.
This visa must be sponsored by a United Arab Emirates company or hotel and
will normally take 2-3 days to issue. The second is a Multiple Entry Visa, which is
useful for individuals who are continuously visiting the UAE. This visa has special
privileges for visitors from Germany and the United States. More information and
requirements about these two visas can be found to your right.

Residence Visa: This is a for individual planning to live in the United Arab
Emirates, you have to obtain a residence visa, which is also referred to as an
employment visa. A residence visa will be issued by the Immigration department
of the emirate you will be staying in and provided to you by your sponsor (the
company or person you are working for). If you have entered the country on a
visit visa, you can transfer to a residence visa by either re-enter the country or
else make the transfer at the Immigration department.

If you are coming to the UAE with family members, you should obtain a family
visa, which will allow you to sponsor your parents, spouse, daughters, and sons
under the age of 18. Family visas are only possible if you earn more than Dhs.
4,000 (US$ 1,100) a month.

Residence visas are normally issued for 3-years and in order for it to be
processed, you will need to take a medical test and obtain a health card.
Individuals who test positive for AIDS will not be permitted to obtain a residence
visa. A health card costs around Dhs. 300 (US$ 82) and should be renewed
yearly. It can be issued at the Ministry of Health or else at a recognized private
hospital.

Over-staying : A penalty charge of Dhs. 25 (US$ 7) - Dhs. 100 (US$ 28) per day
is imposed on visitors who overstay. If the overstay extends to a significant
amount of time, then a court hearing is issued and the judge will decide what
penalties will occur.


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Educational Readiness
Assess your educational readiness by completing our Hijrah Readiness Survey
on www.thebalancedmiddlepath.com

Generally, in order to assess educational readiness, and to overcome any

lingering phobia that prevents you from educational aspirations, we have
compiled a reading list, technical assistance tools, and personal development
resources that will assist you. We are also developing a career assessment
inventory that will help you locate your innate abilities and strengths. After you
complete the Hijrah Readiness Inventory, you will be given a readiness score
that will inform your degree of readiness. This software application will be
available on the web site shortly, Insha’Allah.
Tips and Leverage for Job Offers
In all of the 12 countries we cited, (except Gambia, Mauritania and Senegal)
there is a multi-tiered process that shapes employment contracts, sometimes by
law, on one’s country of origin. Most of the Gulf States require a minimum of a
BA/BS degree to obtain an employment or residence visa. For all practical
purposes, however, a Masters degree is required to land a decent package. The
Expat package in the Gulf States usually begins with tickets for the employee
and 2-3 children under the age of 18 twice per year economy; housing, medical
allowance, and school- allowance for 2-3 children under the age of 18. Most Gulf
States do not levy income tax but US citizen are required to pay taxes on total
compensation that exceeds $80,000 USD. Tax filing in mid June instead of April
15th. If you are visiting the country you have identified for Hijrah, chances are if
you accept a job offer while you are visiting you will not receive most of the
aforementioned Expat perks. Go home and correspond with them or at least
direct them to correspond with you at your US address.

Get ready to finish your higher education degree!

It is well known that African Americans and other people of color that live in the
United States enroll less and complete higher education at lower rates than other
groups. I have addressed some of the historical and social reasons for this in my
book, Cracked Mirrors: Emmett Till to Barak Obama & My Path to Authentic
Islam. For more information, please visit my web site www.thecrackedmirror.com.
The brothers at the Balanced Middle Path are working to provide Muslims from
the west with technical assistance and resources to enroll in colleges and
universities. Our naseeah is that Muslims in the west should be foremost in
seeking beneficial knowledge and become leaders in educating our children,
discovering cures for chronic diseases, and developing strategies to use our
educational skills to rebuild the Ummah of Islam. Some of the types of technical
assistance you’ll find on the Balanced Middle path web site is information on
employment trends in the 12 States we cited, how to obtain educational grants
for individuals, how to develop study habits, how to make good grades, and WHY
ITS NEVER TOO LATE TO BE RELEVENT!


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We also have prepared MP3 downloads, videos and a vehicle to Effectively
Learn Arabic (coming soon, Insha’Allah). In the future we plan to offer online
certificates in Project Management and Business Skill Development while in the
lands of the Muslims, Insha’Allah that will be backed by a leading university in
Egypt, Insha’Allah.


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 Value of Education

The data shows that a college degree correlates directly to your salary range—
and the relationship between compensation and education level is becoming
even more prominent. At the turn of the 20th century, American working life was
different. Only a minority of adults had a high school diploma. But by 1975, full-
time workers with a Bachelor's degree had 1.5 times the annual earnings of
workers with a high school diploma. By 1999, this ratio had edged up to 1.8. As
our society has continued to evolve, education has become the optimal route to
professional success: pursuing a degree is the best way to receive training, to
gain expertise in a given field, and even to guide you and help you make choices
about your career. Today, a formal, focused education is an essential ingredient.
Employers have increasingly used diplomas and degrees as a way to screen
applicants. And once you’ve landed the job you want, your salary will reflect your
credentials. On average, a person with a Master’s Degree earns $31,900 more
per year than a high school graduate—a difference of as much as 105%!

Comparison of Annual Earnings for Graduates and Non-Graduates

Professional $109,60
Degree 0
Doctoral
$89,400
Degree
Master's
$62,300
Degree
Bachelor's
$52,200
Degree
Associate's
$38,200
Degree
Some
$36,800
College
High School
$30,400
Graduate
Some High
$23,400
School
Average Annual Earnings—Different Levels of Education.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Surveys, March 1998, 1999, and 2000.


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 Making a Lifetime of Difference:

By the time you comfortably retire, you’ll look back and see that your earnings
increase, as figured by your level of education, has compounded over your
lifetime. A person with a Bachelors degree will earn, on average, almost twice as
much as workers with a high school diploma over a lifetime ($2.1 million
compared to $1.2 million). This is a result of not only higher starting salaries for
people with higher education levels, but also the sharper earnings growth over
the course their careers.

Life Time Earnings Data

Professional
$4.4
Degree
Doctoral Degree $3.4
Master's Degree $2.5
Bachelor's
$2.1
Degree
Associate's
$1.6
Degree
Some College $1.5
High School
$1.2
Graduate
Some High
$1.0
School
Average Lifetime Earnings—Different Levels of Education.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Surveys, March 1998, 1999, and 2000.

Important Resources for Jobs in the 12 Countries Cited

1. http://www.higheredjobs.com/international/
2. http://jobs.ameinfo.com/
3. http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/


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