R. Ibrahim: Resident, Madina

My grandfather came to Madina a long time ago and I can’t remember why, but when he was offered citizenship he accepted it. At the time, it wasn’t difficult to obtain.

His brother on the other hand, refused and didn’t want to lose his identity and was proud to be from Uzbekistan so he returned. He passed away there (may Allah have mercy on him) and now his children are trying to come to Saudi Arabia and they try their luck but iqamas (residency visas) are so expensive and not easy to come by, so they haven’t been able to come here yet. They’ve even tried their luck in Turkey but to no avail.

I’m so thankful for my grandfather’s decision to stay in Saudi Arabia because my father was born in Madina and so was I, alhamdulilah. I’m proud to say that Madina is my home but we have never forgotten where we came from.