10 Years in The Gulf: A Journey of Sobriety and Salah

27 Sha’ban, 1445

Peace and Blessings!

This past month marked my 10th year in The Gulf (I’ll avoid the controversy as to whether that Gulf should be called “Arabian” or “Persian”).?

On a whimsical note:? It marks my 3rd year living across from a golf course in the Gulf (i.e. Dubai–the land where just about anything you can imagine can be found–including Venezuelan Cachapas: shout out to The Hangout Latino!).?

On a serious note: One month ago (Feb.5) marked exactly 10 years since I had my last alcoholic drink and thus the beginning of my Sobriety Journey which continues to this day, Al Humdulliah.??

In this post, I would like to address what is still a stigmatic topic in the Muslim community: Addiction.??

But first, a throwback to February 2014 and my first month in Saudi Arabia.??

Landing in Jeddah, KSA is something that is forever etched in my memory.? If the first day had been captured by a Poloroid camera, these would be the three stand-out Instant Snaps:

• A sea of white thobes and red checkered gutras
• The desolate date market next to my first hotel (next to the Bin Laden Mosque)
• My first glass bottle of guava flavored “Caesar Juice”

* And a fourth memory, which is not possible to capture in an image: the blazing heat of the Arabian desert (I was coming from the -30C Minnesota winter!)

I pulled up an email from my first 3 weeks on the job at a vocational college in Jeddah.? Here is what I wrote to a friend:?

“To be honest, the first 3 weeks have been a struggle.? I feel under qualified and too inexperienced for this job--which is basically a college teaching position.? I lied on my application saying I had 5 years of teaching experience and an English degree.? Now I'm paying the karmic price!? I guess fake it till you make it--or don't make it!? It's a sink or swim environment here.? We just had one teacher quit (or get fired, still not sure what happened) yesterday.? I can understand why.? Most of the students here are VERY difficult.? They are ages 17-23 but incredibly immature.? No discipline.? The other problem is that they are at the college on a Govt program that PAYS them to come to class. So a large majority don't give a damn about learning.?

I've never taught in an environment like this before.? Another crazy thing: all of the classrooms have a one way mirror window so that our boss can peer into our class. Big brother!? And the boss is very intense.? This is a business, not the inspired education of APV school in India."??

Note: I had previously been at one of the most idyllic schools in the world: APV School in Anjanisain, India (my bedroom window looked out onto the foothills of the Garhwali mountains).? So, teaching in a Saudi vocational college (which looked and felt like a prison) was a big shock to the system!? So much so that I wrote my resignation letter after the first month.? However, I rescinded it after support from the AA community and a colleague (in fact, I actually admitted to that “intense boss” that I had lied to get the job!? His response came as a shock: “No worries, the feedback from students and teachers has been positive, please stay!”).? And so I did. I even renewed my contract for a second year.????

Another email excerpt sent to a close friend that further elucidates the above situation:?

I actually wrote my resignation letter last week, but after speaking with the AA community, I decided not to turn it in.? They encouraged me not to give up yet.? Give it some more time.? And the fact that I don't have anything to go back to.? There are 3 weeks left in the semester and then a Spring break.? This semester I only have 16hrs of class, next semester I'll have a minimum of 25, maybe 30 with all the new students coming in.? I'm not sure if I'll be able to hack that.? Man, I want out of here!? But, God's will be done. There must be a reason I'm here.? I've been saying the 3rd Step Prayer a lot:

“God, I offer myself to Thee — to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!”

Anyway, I really do appreciate your support.? I'll keep you posted on how things go.

And things did improve, Al Humdulliah.? I ended up staying in Saudi Arabia for 7 years!? Embraced Islam, got married, completed a M.Ed degree, and had a daughter!? All praise be to Allah–The Most Generous, The Most Merciful.??

So, with that prelude aside, let’s dive into the slightly thorny topic of addiction in the Muslim community. Rather than write about it, I’d like to share two short clips I recorded for Muslim Minute on the following topics:

1. Muslim Youth and Addiction
2. Why Do Stigmas Exist Concerning Addiction?

Addiction (and there are many kinds!) is a serious and growing concern for the Muslim community and society as a whole. In reference to this point, please see the following research article by Dr. Dalia Mogahed titled “Drug Addiction In The Muslim Community: Facing Stigma and Seeking Support”

Also, if you’d like to learn more about this topic, I recommend the work of renowned addiction expert, Gabor Mate (here).

Thankfully, there are many resources available–the first and foremost being the Mercy and Forgiveness of Allah. I’ll close this post by repeating what I said in the second video:?

“Islam is a program of recovery; Islam is a program of transformation”.?

Al Humdulliah.??

Have a blessed day and remember to give thanks for your Many Blessings!?And...as we prepare to welcome the Blessed Month of Ramadan: May it be filled with spiritual treasures and divine openings.

Other notes:?

–If you know someone struggling with any kind of addiction, one of the best resources for Muslims is Milati Islami–a 12 Step Program of recovery based on Islamic principles.??

–A book recommendation:? “Hope for the Muslim Addict” by my friend Paul Yunus Pringle.? Also check out his book “The God of Wild Places”.

–On the topic of Barakah, please check out this enlightening interview I conducted for the NGS School Podcast with Br. Mohammad Faris on his new book The Barakah Effect (available for order–here)