So, why are we here?

Now that we're all settled in and in somewhat of a routine, why are we in Qatar again?
Oh yes, to learn arabic! So now seems like a good time to get started with that goal.
Alhamdulillah, Ovaise's good friend has been to Syria and Jordan and studied the language.
He is now coming in 3-4 times a week after fajr to tutor us in arabic.
It is going well so far alhamdulillah.
The breakthrough came the other day, when, after the lesson, as usual, we went through some ayahs of the Quran and I could actually understand! Not only understand but break down the words in terms of whether they are verbs, nouns, particles and which tense they are in. It felt great alhamdulillah!

Now I just need to get someone for the kids.

Update: So, we finished up our first book with the tutor and now he is busy because his wife just had a baby. So, again, we are on the lookout for a tutor.

There are plenty of arabic programs here, including one at Qatar University, which I have the application forms for, but with the kids, the timing doesn't work out for me. That's why we are opting for the private tutor option.

Also, we have started our hunt for the kids' school, now that we have a car, alhamdulillah!
It seems that most of the schools fall into the categories of: english schools, arabic schools or independant schools. The english schools are not what we are looking for, since we want the kids to learn arabic. The arabic schools are completely arabic, and we fear the kids being totally lost there. Perhaps the independant schools will be good for us, since they usually have a balance between arabic and english.

Update: The independant schools are NOT the answer! One story sticks out the most. We go to look at one of the independant schools and Ovaise and the kids are sent back to car since the office is all women and some of them don't have their hijabs on (not a problem, I go in myself). I am made to wait for sometime (which I am used to here now), and then in walks this lady and starts talking to me in arabic. Since I obviously cannot carry on a conversation in arabic, I tell her that I speak english. She gives me a blank stare, so I say it again, this time slower: 'I speak english, do you understand english?' She is jolted out of her silence and tells me of course she can speak english. Perfect! I tell her my name and the whole story of how we came from Canada and want our kids to learn arabic, etc. She asks me where I'm from. I tell her Canada. She asks me again. I reply with the same answer-Canada! Then she says, 'No, where are you really from?' Ok, so I get that she wants to know my cultural roots. I tell her Pakistan. She tells me she'll be frank with me...there isn't any space for the kids at the school...they are only taking siblings of kids who already go there, or locals. She says I can still try to apply if I like, but it's highly unlikely that they'll get in. I try to remain calm and ask her if she thinks my kids will be able to learn arabic in her school. She says they might. Obviously I am getting nowhere, so I ask if she has a brochure or something. She hands me a business card. Thanks! At this point I tell her I am not interested at all in putting my kids there, say my salams and leave. Then I go vent to my husband in the car. Needless to say, these schools are NOT what we are looking for.

Update: There is an arabic school that we have heard good things about. We are not sure if we want to take the plunge, but it seems like a good option. At this point we have seen so many schools and they are either not our cup of tea or have a long waiting list and there is no way the kids will get in.

Then, subhanAllah, things seem to come together! Our very own Sheikh Mustafa from Windsor was visiting Dubai and ended up coming to Doha too. We find out that he is childhood friends with the principal of the arabic school we are considering. Ovaise and him go there and have a meeting with the principal and they discuss our concerns. Obviously, we don't want the kids to be lost in an all arabic school, but that is the least of our concerns. We have heard many horror stories about prejudice and teachers hitting students (and vice versa!), so we want to be sure we are at ease. The principal assures us that if our goal is for the kids to learn arabic, this will happen in an arabic school. Since this particular school is one of the better ones in Doha, the other issues won't be a problem. Also, Sheikh Mustafa sets us up with an arabic teacher in the school (who would also be Ibrahim's grade one teacher) to come in and tutor the kids! Alhamdulillah! And this teacher is also willing to tutor me and Ovaise as well!

So, alhamdulillah, he has been coming in four times a week for the kids (Ovaise and I will start with him after the summer break inshaAllah) and the best part is that he is hafidh, so he is also able to help the kids with their hifdh. He assures us that he will take care of Ibrahim in class, and that makes us so much more comfortable with the idea, along with the fact that we have connections to the principal now, through Sheikh Mustafa. The girls' school is also nice and since Asma will be in Kindergarten, the issues will be less. Plus, I just found out that one of our friends will be moving to Doha and has already registered her daughter in that school and she will be in the same class as Asma! Alhamdulillah!

You have no idea how relieved I am about the school situation. I had no clue when we moved here that finding a school would be such a journey, but it was. I prayed istikharah and now the rest is up to Allah.

On a side note, one of the top schools here is Qatar Academy. I went to see this early on and was so impressed with the asthetics of the school, but it didn't mesh with our goals. But, it was by far the nicest school I have ever seen in my life! Maybe that's why even their waiting list is full!