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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Germany or Brazil? |
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| bhaloo |
| 10/08/05 at 10:15:16 |
| [slm] I might be going to Brazil or Germany during Ramadan as part of a business trip and wanted to know if there was anything to watch out for, and if there were any masjids in the area, and how are Muslims treated there? |
| Re: Germany or Brazil? |
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| theOriginal |
| 10/08/05 at 11:48:21 |
| [slm] Where in Germany? I've been to Munich.. Absolutely gorgeous city, and they have at least one amazing masjid there. Didn't experience any racism/prejudice, etc. Wasalaam. |
| Re: Germany or Brazil? |
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| thezman |
| 10/08/05 at 12:48:26 |
| :sl: I haven't been to germany, but would love to go once. It has a huge islamic community, nice masjids, great sites to visit and is very clean... However, I've been to brazil and I strongly urge you not to go there. It is a country with beautiful landmarks, but utter poverty. there are as many black magic stores as there are bars in america. people heavily practice the dark arts, so be prepared to be physically sick and in a bad mood (I've experienced it first hand). Being that it's so poor, foreigners stick out, I was robbed in sao paolo at a park (They took my money, watch, sun glasses and nike sneakers, I had to walk home with just my socks. and I was robbed in front of the national airport (the cabbie drove off with all my bags)... the number one income maker is kidnapping, so if you go rent a few body guards, and DO NOT TELL ANY BRAZILIAN YOU"RE ON A BUSINESS TRIP!...they start seeing dollar signs... the drug trade is high, a few prison escapes occur and the cops are corrupt and trigger happy and you may get to see the police executing criminals live (try not to be in the area to witness such an act or you may have the pleasure of being shot at as a warning (as happened to me)... so if you think that your life is boring and you need some excitement, I'd pick brazil other than that, I'd rather go somewhere else... |
| 10/08/05 at 12:55:44 |
| thezman |
| Re: Germany or Brazil? |
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| Caraj |
| 10/08/05 at 13:56:32 |
| Bro Bhaloo I would suggest private messaging Bro Salem, I believe he would have good insight and knowledge as to Brazil. I'm just not sure if it is current insight or insight from years back. But he could possible help. |
| Re: Germany or Brazil? |
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| bhaloo |
| 10/08/05 at 17:43:57 |
| [slm] JustOne I don't know yet, I'm starting some new job on Monday and they wanted to know in the first interview if I would be willing to go to Brazil for 2 weeks, in the 2nd interview they asked me if I would be willing to go to Germany for a month. I was a little concerned that there might be rascism as I heard people from Turkey (obviously i'm not from there) are treated badly. ??? from the pics of germany that i've seen it looks clean. TheZman: alhumdullilah that's good to hear Germany has a big Islamic community. I didn't think it did. Your account of Brazil is so scary. I have an uncle that went there and he was robbed as well. I guess I need to wear a money belt. By extreme poverty do you mean like Pakistan type poverty? is there any tips you could give for one to fit in Brazil? Azizah: thanks for the info, I'll be sure to check in with bro. salem. |
| Re: Germany or Brazil? |
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| thezman |
| 10/08/05 at 22:00:28 |
| [slm] I'm not from pakistan, but from the images I've seen and the articles I've read, yes. Also like middle eastern nation's (non-gulf)... They do have modern industry, but there is a huge divide between the rich and the poor...the middle class is a minority...the economy is in shambles and corruption is rampant...try to get paid in US dollars, because their currency isn't worth anything, and every few years, they change the name of the currency...when I was there, it was called the 'cruzeiro' (cross in english), now there's a totally different name, so you'll lose out on the exchange...don't buy anything locally with the dollar, you'll be a walking target... In contrast with the hi-rises of brasilia, reo and sao paolo, when I was nearing the outskirts of sao paolo, that mega-city was ringed with shanty towns... I believe why major companies go there is due to the lax laws, corruption and low taxes... Brazil does have a sizable arab community, mostly of syrian/lebanese christian descent and muslims also... Tips: I presume you're Pakistani, so a plus is looking latino...try to dress like brazilians...don't be flashy with your attire or money, don't rent a really nice car, minimize telling anyone that you work for a foreign company, don't trust anyone. Unfortunately, even if someone is well off, they'll attempt to rob you...don't p/o anyone (beware of black magic and the evil eye)...don't be overly generous, because people will abuse your generosity (quite a few are very cheap) and that will send a signal that you're loaded...don't let anyone into your home, don't lend out anything...and recite a lot of qur' an... |
| Re: Germany or Brazil? |
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| theOriginal |
| 10/11/05 at 20:49:52 |
| [slm] Thezman...that is really crazy. I would never have thought of Brazil to be like that. I have only met a few Brazillians in my life, and I am extremely fond of every single one of them. To the extent where I have always wanted to go to Rio. I'm not going after your account. :P Wasalaam. |
| Re: Germany or Brazil? |
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| thezman |
| 10/11/05 at 21:44:41 |
| [slm] I also had a very different outlook about brazil before I went there, and I came back with a totally different view. |
| Re: Germany or Brazil? |
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| MIT |
| 10/14/05 at 07:29:17 |
| assalaamu alaikum Didn't there used to be an old moderator sister who was from Germany? If she is still around, perhaps she can help out? You wouldn't happen to be stopping off in London at all would you? |
| Re: Germany or Brazil? |
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| bhaloo |
| 10/14/05 at 08:07:14 |
| [slm] Looks like I'll probably be going to Brazil next month. It's to Rio de Janero and I'll probably be staying at some nice hotel like the Copa Cabana. MIT, I don't know about the German plans yet, that is still undecided. |
| Re: Germany or Brazil? |
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| Anonymous |
| 10/14/05 at 10:06:24 |
| Salam Alaikum.I advice Austria instead Germany....Austria is friendly country in europe to others folks, specialy vienna...(if you come there tell me, may I help you ;-)Wassalam |
| Re: Germany or Brazil? |
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| bhaloo |
| 10/15/05 at 10:43:29 |
| [wlm] Anonymous, thanks for the advice, but the company I would be working with is located in Germany. Maybe I can visit Austria as a side trip. :) |
| Re: Germany or Brazil? |
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| Shahida |
| 10/21/05 at 09:36:49 |
| [slm] Duno anything about Brazil...sorry cant help there.. But Germany has loads of Muslims! Esp in bigger cities, and no, not all of them are turkish;) there are loads of indo-pak, arabs, africans etc...just depends on where you go. Let me know the city you will be travelling to, i might be able to hook you up with some brothers inshaAllah. and contact Eleanor, she lives there... Salam and good luck Shahida |
| Re: Germany or Brazil? |
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| bhaloo |
| 10/22/05 at 09:59:31 |
| [slm] Thank you all for the help, but I've decided to send in my letter of resignation. And guess who is going to help me write it? :o (hint, hint, you ALL are, see another thread appearing shortly here). |
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