Assalamu alaikum

[AbbasAbdHadi313]

Im a new shia in the SW fl area near Fort Myers Bonita springs looking to see if there are shias anywhere in the area the only husseiniya masjids are in Miami 2 hrs and Tampa 2 hrs driving. If there is anyone contact me Jazakallah khair. 

[Ashvazdanghe]

Salam & welcome to shia creed & Shiachat  

maybe brother @Lion of Shia sister @Hameedeh , brother @Abu Hadi & @Gaius I. Caesar can help you inshaAllah.

[Abu Hassanain]

On 9/4/2026 at 9:41 AM, AbbasAbdHadi313 said:

Im a new shia in the SW fl area near Fort Myers Bonita springs looking to see if there are shias anywhere in the area the only husseiniya masjids are in Miami 2 hrs and Tampa 2 hrs driving. If there is anyone contact me Jazakallah khair. 

Salam

orlando or Miami are the closest to you . There is an African American Hussaynia in Tampa as well . 
 

Wallahu Alam 

[AbbasAbdHadi313]

11 hours ago, Abu Hassanain said:

Salam

orlando or Miami are the closest to you . There is an African American Hussaynia in Tampa as well . 
 

Wallahu Alam 

miami 2 hours away orlando 4 hours away and tampa 2 hours away

[Abu Hassanain]

12 hours ago, AbbasAbdHadi313 said:

miami 2 hours away orlando 4 hours away and tampa 2 hours away

Wasalam

yes there is nothing organized closer right now, and getting permission to establish a group in a building as opposed to small house meetings will become an additional additionally harder with all the new anti-Islamic laws in Florida

the Irani community at masjid irashad in south Miami is the best community near you right now . The Urdu speaking g community in Hiladeh is harder to get too . 
 

good luck while you live there if you want community best to look on moving 

wallahu Alam 

 

 

[Gaius I. Caesar]

On 9/4/2026 at 9:41 AM, AbbasAbdHadi313 said:

Im a new shia in the SW fl area near Fort Myers Bonita springs looking to see if there are shias anywhere in the area the only husseiniya masjids are in Miami 2 hrs and Tampa 2 hrs driving. If there is anyone contact me Jazakallah khair. 

Wasalam alaikum, I am not really familiar with Florida but Abu Hassanain gave good advice.

 

1 hour ago, Abu Hassanain said:

good luck while you live there if you want community best to look on moving

A community cannot be built nationally if people are insistent on and constantly moving to the same big cities (NYC, LA, Detroit/Dearborn, Boston)

[Abu Hassanain]

4 hours ago, Gaius I. Caesar said:

Wasalam alaikum, I am not really familiar with Florida but Abu Hassanain gave good advice.

 

A community cannot be built nationally if people are insistent on and constantly moving to the same big cities (NYC, LA, Detroit/Dearborn, Boston)

Salam

 

I’m one level this is true, but another issue is lower income or new immigrants. Look for strong, social safety nuts from community and Wellfare program programs which aren’t found in the smaller rural areas.
 

Most of our communities are based on ethnic linguistic, and then which scholar you follow so people try to group around communities that are like them

Medical education, wages are all consideration and they’re better than the bigger blue cities

Not to mention right now in Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida, and other places in the southwest deep south mid south and southeast have become extremely hostile to Muslims and granting permission for expansions, actual mosques schools, etc.

I live about 30 miles out from a major city in a major city that really doesn’t have an active community. The closest communities to me are right on the Detroit Michigan border right across the border in Pennsylvania.

We have our own little center. We’re mainly me and my family do the 70 days the three months most of the program seminary classes by ourselves.

Even in the big cities, there are problems, and the youth are going away from the dean eating questionable thing the centers are filled by old men

My wife’s family was staunch on the religion and culture. Her father’s generation were a certain way. Her father was more hired Line than the younger sisters who lived in more integrated areas even the higher Line sisters. Their kids were so so they not her Line sisters their kids were very very westernized, but everybody’s grandkids and great grandkids are terrible.

We need to figure out how to maintain Islam in our generations how to establish communities how to successfully integrate without assimilating how to navigate the laws in this country the best areas to settle in frankly, we need to have charitable projects, hospitals, clinics, rehab shelters we need to engage in helping people outside our own ethnic and linguistic group groups

The current jurors have a lack of faith in these communities and give legal rules that are very easy and somewhat compromising that they have put the work that was done the last 50 years in jeopardy

New York City probably has the most diverse enlarged Islamic population in the country. Been back 10 times over four years. The situation is terrible. Our cultural food is everywhere but beards have gone head coverings for men have gone attendance for communal. Prayers have gone most people can’t tell you the correct direction of prayer if you ask 10 people on the street it’s the recent immigrants that are all going for the prayers. The people who have been born here whose parents were born here or not. 

I would love your feedback on what you think needs to be done to make community building here easier I’m just telling you what I’ve seen with my own eyes

Wallahu Alam 

[Gaius I. Caesar]

On 9/8/2026 at 6:13 PM, Abu Hassanain said:

Wellfare program programs which aren’t found in the smaller rural areas.

This is not true at all in the slightest, nowadays,people can and should apply online. There is no excuse not to.

On 9/8/2026 at 6:13 PM, Abu Hassanain said:

Medical education, wages are all consideration and they’re better than the bigger blue cities

That is also not true, lower wages, lower education, more violence and animosity towards immigrants for what? Lower taxes? The Somali community in Northern Maine have made it so that there is shariah-compliant home ownership in Maine. If they retreated to the bigger cities, there would be no Islamic finance in some of the most rural parts of the US.  This wasn't available ten years ago. There is value and power in diversifying away from Toronto, NY, LA and Dearborn.

Consider how nasibis (I don't like the term Islamophobe, they aren't afraid, They have hatred.) always like to single out Dearborn, if we expand out of the cities, their conspiracies are exposed as delusional ramblings, inflamed online by hate-filled windbags.

On 9/8/2026 at 6:13 PM, Abu Hassanain said:

Not to mention right now in Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida, and other places in the southwest deep south mid south and southeast have become extremely hostile to Muslims and granting permission for expansions, actual mosques schools, etc.

Because "Muslim" equals ="New York/Washington D.C. trying to turn my state blue" in their mind. Again staying and contributing to the community is the cure to the hostillity.

[Guest Rain]

19 hours ago, Gaius I. Caesar said:

There is value and power in diversifying away from Toronto, NY, LA and Dearborn.

19 hours ago, Gaius I. Caesar said:

Because "Muslim" equals ="New York/Washington D.C. trying to turn my state blue" in their mind. Again staying and contributing to the community is the cure to the hostillity.

 

Truth! 

My random additional few cents:

Diasporas made a mistake by piling up to the nines in the major cities.

For one, by doing they there was more encouragement and reinforcement to practically live as though they are completely in their home country versus having a respect for the surrounding peoples - i.e 0 assimilation or appreciation for every kind of people but your own. I can't blame the recent increased dislike for migrants when you see the mentality, entitlement, and behaviour of the migrants themselves. 

For another - rural regions are conducive for growth. Your cities are super saturated with all kinds of ethnic minorities, not just the Muslims, brimming with competition and all vying for spaces with jobs, lands, and control of regions. Unless you're already wealthy or the creme-de-la creme of your field, you'll live a miserable, hard, or mediocre life, but in the safety net of living with more of your culture and religion around.

Whereas you will generally be more wanted and appreciated for your skills/service in the smaller communities that demands it - and, as above post says, reduce the hostility when they see get to see what one of your kind is really like!

It's worth it to diversify away, and doing so in non-diverse major cities will also give people the skills to actually assimilate with the surrounding people instead of just staying in an ignorant bubble with their fellow ethnics.

Though I wonder it's late in the game to change a lot of hostility through this manner but maybe I'm a pessimist.

Another negative with big cities, as Abu Hassanain noted, was the losing of faith.

Big cities tend to be have more materialism and are thick with the nefarious aspects of pop culture. Ethnics, tend to pick up the worst of both worlds in this environment - i.e, the worst of Western culture and ideas (lewd rap/gang music and urban clothing styles, western ideas of individualism or liberalism), or tend to only pick up the more aesthetic parts of their own culture (i.e, Dabke, flashy lines of rumi, cultural fast fashion) to show off the more socially acceptable aspects of their culture out of their own insecurities to belong. I.e, they take only the dumb parts from both worlds versus actually unveiling idealistic depths that you can glean once peeling away the superficial. I can't say it's the story for everyone, but sometimes there can be a stop to growth in such places with such influences.

 

Unfortunately fear/uncertainty has sucked us all into those few big nodes.

[Gaius I. Caesar]

23 hours ago, Guest Rain said:

Another negative with big cities, as Abu Hassanain noted, was the losing of faith.

This is what frustrates me about you and Abu Hassanain's comments though, you can lose faith anywhere, the worldly life is not exclusive to big cities.  If there is a sickness in someone's heart, no amount of moving makes any difference until that person changes the behavior within themselves.  Please read 2:10-12 and 13:11.

There are plenty of small towns and villages where backbiting and gossiping are viewed as part of a "small town life" and "everyone knows other, we're neighbors". I know from personal experience, just how dark that rabbit hole can go. Where do you think racism is taught and left to grow unchallenged? It did not just pop out of nowhere or simply willed itself into experience. This is a taught behavior.

 

23 hours ago, Guest Rain said:

Though I wonder it's late in the game to change a lot of hostility through this manner but maybe I'm a pessimist.

Pessimism is haram, no?  If you are aware of the problem, it is not too late. It is hard work but nobody said that building a future, legacy and/or community is easy.

Quote

Unfortunately fear/uncertainty has sucked us all into those few big nodes

^ "Though I wonder it's late in the game to change a lot of hostility through this manner but maybe I'm a pessimist." is the uncertainty that is sucking Shias into the "few big nodes"  you write of.

Edited September 12 by Gaius I. Caesar

[Guest Rain]

I was agreeing with you..

It was my argument to support for expanding outside the big cities. But you are right - piety and people of faith exist both in the city and the rural, and deviance and corruption exists in both as well.

Though 2:10-12 is regarding hypocrites (starts from 2:08). I.e, people who deny the faith inwardly but try to put up a front for their own evil works from love of dunya.

The folks I had in mind are people who are not necessarily munafiq..just the easily influenced who struggle to be upright on the path and find themselves in trouble or struggling with parts of religion, or are simply not passionate about their faith. 

So I guess I didn’t mean loss of faith but rather affects towards overall one’s spiritual and mental growth in certain environments, and I did put the disclaimer;

On 9/11/2026 at 7:31 PM, Guest Rain said:

I can't say it's the story for everyone, but sometimes there can be a stop to growth in such places with such influences.

I simply think that an environment that is more accessible to nature, that is less of a concrete jungle, and less about the hustle and bustle, that has less noise, and not as thick with materialism may prove to be more helpful to flourish the minds and souls of those who are open and receptive to growth and change. Again, not denying materialism and subsequent deviance exists in the rural, it does, and I know that one only has to pick up their phone to hook up to all the noise again. One environment just simply has a potential for more benefit than the other imo, or seems less severe.

The Holy Prophet himself showed the importance to pull away with his retreat to the cave. But yes (before I am contradicted) he and a variety of his companions took on living in the thick of the bustling city environment and reached spiritual heights.

Perhaps my own personal experiences in living in both have me biased, having been in both regions and finding I dislike the energy and mentality I've noted within the one side.

2 hours ago, Gaius I. Caesar said:

Pessimism is haram, no?  If you are aware of the problem, it is not too late. It is hard work but nobody said that building a future, legacy and/or community is easy.

True.

2 hours ago, Gaius I. Caesar said:

"Though I wonder it's late in the game to change a lot of hostility through this manner but maybe I'm a pessimist." is the uncertainty that is sucking Shias into the "few big nodes"  you write of.

Perhaps.

iA folks see staying in their own ignorant bubbles isn’t conducive to their own growth and have the bravery to expand their horizons and connections to different places and people…and the few big nodes that I’m writing of lose their allure.

[Gaius I. Caesar]

On 9/12/2026 at 10:08 PM, Guest Rain said:

I simply think that an environment that is more accessible to nature, that is less of a concrete jungle, and less about the hustle and bustle, that has less noise, and not as thick with materialism may prove to be more helpful to flourish the minds and souls of those who are open and receptive to growth and change. Again, not denying materialism and subsequent deviance exists in the rural, it does, and I know that one only has to pick up their phone to hook up to all the noise again. One environment just simply has a potential for more benefit than the other imo, or seems less severe.

I was thinking of how tribalism and isolation of rural areas could be an issue. Is it beneficial to live there? It can be, there is a lot of opportunity to make a halal place to live and show people that they shouldn't believe  what they see on TV.  Rural living has plenty of materialism and I don't think it is necessarily more conductive to a life of piety, that's squarely on a person's relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى). It's just the nature of the dunya but you are right on how a slower paced environment like a small town has more potential to be beneficial or less severe than a fast paced concrete jungle

On 9/12/2026 at 10:08 PM, Guest Rain said:

he Holy Prophet himself showed the importance to pull away with his retreat to the cave. But yes (before I am contradicted) he and a variety of his companions took on living in the thick of the bustling city environment and reached spiritual heights.

Yes, that is exactly what I was thinking of when I brought up the example of the community in Northern Maine.  If it is a legacy someone is trying to build, a small town is best, because it can have an ripple effect on bigger cities as well.

On 9/12/2026 at 10:08 PM, Guest Rain said:

The folks I had in mind are people who are not necessarily munafiq..just the easily influenced who struggle to be upright on the path and find themselves in trouble or struggling with parts of religion, or are simply not passionate about their faith. 

I see, I didn't understand earlier.

[Abu Hassanain]

On 9/14/2026 at 2:33 AM, Gaius I. Caesar said:

I was thinking of how tribalism and isolation of rural areas could be an issue. Is it beneficial to live there? It can be, there is a lot of opportunity to make a halal place to live and show people that they shouldn't believe  what they see on TV.  Rural living has plenty of materialism and I don't think it is necessarily more conductive to a life of piety, that's squarely on a person's relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى). It's just the nature of the dunya but you are right on how a slower paced environment like a small town has more potential to be beneficial or less severe than a fast paced concrete jungle

Yes, that is exactly what I was thinking of when I brought up the example of the community in Northern Maine.  If it is a legacy someone is trying to build, a small town is best, because it can have an ripple effect on bigger cities as well.

I see, I didn't understand earlier.

Salam

The city I live in is an outer ring somewhere worth about 100,000 people

Anything we have tried to do or a few of the other Muslim families have tried to do his little to no fact

The people out here don’t necessarily practice their own religion but they’re not flocking to explore other options like we saw during the first great revival the second great revival the 60s the 70s Islamic awakening in a few years after 911

This is a pattern I’ve seen in a lot of the outer suburbs and smaller suburbs

If you’re talking like OK now, I grew up in New York City so I consider where I live rural I know it’s not really rural

But if you’re talking about like straight up like there’s a town, I had an uncle that lived in that was near Amish country of those kind of places they had projects with both lower income, African-American communities and middle class for lack of a better word hippie white

And all of them have failed from what I can see

The two big ones up in upstate New York are selling off their land. I’m gonna mention the organization here, but the one Pakistani based organization that had compounds became almost cult like in a lot of of the ones that were put in the southwest and other places didn’t last they may function as a retreat you can run out, but nobody lives there anymore.

I’m criticizing your ideas or statements I’ve been to Maine. I wasn’t that impressed with the community there. Bangor and the northern towns are filled with drug abuse and all kinds of problems. Also, when I was there a lot of people drive into Bangor or even Portland from further up in Maine to work because there aren’t a lot of job.

If you look at the history of the seminary, that’s now based in Chicago that was originally based on upstate New York. This is the problem they had with getting people to come. It’s not his jobs in schools. It’s amenities it’s culture it’s entertainment it’s museums, amusement parks, etc..

I work out a lot of the workout. People are Republican and just the people I talk to, even though they know me in may like me their opinion not Islam has not changed their opinion about foreign policy or a Republicanism has not changed and that’s almost everybody. I know in many states throughout the country is having the same problem.

It’s not just where we establish our communities. It’s how to actually be effective and disseminating the message getting people to join and maintaining actual communities.

I would like to know specifically what is beneficial about the communities in northern Maine the ones I know there are mostly from the other school of thought and Somali most of the Somalia I’ve dealt with throughout the country tend to be very tribal and not that inclusive if they’re doing something different up there, I’d be interested

I would say honestly, the Iran community is the most organized and the most welcoming of all the communities I’ve dealt with

the Khoja are even more organized, but it becomes like a clique atmosphere you can participate, but not really join in  

The Iraqi communities have good religious knowledge, but for the most part, they haven’t really got a whole lot of speakers. We have the great knowledge the Arabic speakers have and can convey it in English the more younger Iraqi speakers belong to a separate group that’s a lot more westernized.

By me the closest community of our school of art is about 50 miles away. They do most of their programs online and you have to sign up and get permission to go to the live programs the closest functioning communities of Erie, Pennsylvania and Toledo really the folk closest actual year-round, communities are Dearborn and New York.

I just want a small place out of my house. I’ve invited people. I’ve sat with people. I’ve talked with people. The fact this is not there.

The feedback I’ve got from the middle class upper class whites is too strict. The feedback from the lower class white is it just doesn’t feel an American from the poor blacks. We need to do stuff more of the black way which they can never explain that but that’s what they said and one lady said how come we don’t have bingo night. I said this is a place for worship and learning not entertainment. 

So I mean, I’m looking at the comments if you have a practical model that can be sustained for more than two generations. I’d like to see it because these rural communities that I have seen all of them fail within 1 to 2 generations.

If there’s one out there that works and we could replicate, we should look at that and if you have any other insight, that would be good

I mean the community in Watts was all American mostly African-American Ron and there for years they’re only open on Friday and the 21st of the month. I don’t even know if they’re consistently open to my knowledge during the morning days or fasting days or even Thursday night

Community in Houston is doing a little bit more but already there’s friction between the African-Americans and Hispanics in that organization. Eventually, I figure the Hispanics will break off and build their own place.

Just looking at this sincerely and thinking what can be done

wallahu Alam 

[Gaius I. Caesar]

15 hours ago, Abu Hassanain said:

I’m criticizing your ideas or statements I’ve been to Maine. I wasn’t that impressed with the community there. Bangor and the northern towns are filled with drug abuse and all kinds of problems. Also, when I was there a lot of people drive into Bangor or even Portland from further up in Maine to work because there aren’t a lot of job.

If you look at the history of the seminary, that’s now based in Chicago that was originally based on upstate New York. This is the problem they had with getting people to come. It’s not his jobs in schools. It’s amenities it’s culture it’s entertainment it’s museums, amusement parks, etc..

That's perfectly fine, the reason I brought up Maine is because the growth up there and influence they have up there is impressive. They did all of this from nothing. I don't think it is fair or sincere to assume all of Maine is like Aroostook. There is also Southern Maine and Down East. Not to mention the gun and drug problems are of a greater magnitude in Chicago, Houston and New York, never stopped the Shia communities there from staying and growing. The issue with Maine, especially in the northern reaches, is that it is empty, you can drive for five hours straight before seeing a town or a city like Bangor. 

15 hours ago, Abu Hassanain said:

The feedback I’ve got from the middle class upper class whites is too strict. The feedback from the lower class white is it just doesn’t feel an American from the poor blacks. We need to do stuff more of the black way which they can never explain that but that’s what they said and one lady said how come we don’t have bingo night. I said this is a place for worship and learning not entertainment.

No, we should do things the Islamic way. Not the white way, black way, Latino way, Iranian way  or Arab way, especially in a country where race is still a big problem. I don't want to feel like I'm sticking out like a sore thumb in a House of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى).

16 hours ago, Abu Hassanain said:

I work out a lot of the workout. People are Republican and just the people I talk to, even though they know me in may like me their opinion not Islam has not changed their opinion about foreign policy or a Republicanism has not changed and that’s almost everybody. I know in many states throughout the country is having the same problem.

It's out of our control as to people think of us. However, the more we build communities and participate, the more chances for them look at us and "Fox News is full of crap, I know Abu Hassanain is my neighbor and that is simply not true." 

16 hours ago, Abu Hassanain said:

So I mean, I’m looking at the comments if you have a practical model that can be sustained for more than two generations. I’d like to see it because these rural communities that I have seen all of them fail within 1 to 2 generations.

Is thirty years 1 to 2 generations?  And when you say rural  communities, where are you referring to?

[Abu Hassanain]

2 hours ago, Gaius I. Caesar said:

That's perfectly fine, the reason I brought up Maine is because the growth up there and influence they have up there is impressive. They did all of this from nothing. I don't think it is fair or sincere to assume all of Maine is like Aroostook. There is also Southern Maine and Down East. Not to mention the gun and drug problems are of a greater magnitude in Chicago, Houston and New York, never stopped the Shia communities there from staying and growing. The issue with Maine, especially in the northern reaches, is that it is empty, you can drive for five hours straight before seeing a town or a city like Bangor. 

No, we should do things the Islamic way. Not the white way, black way, Latino way, Iranian way  or Arab way, especially in a country where race is still a big problem. I don't want to feel like I'm sticking out like a sore thumb in a House of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى).

It's out of our control as to people think of us. However, the more we build communities and participate, the more chances for them look at us and "Fox News is full of crap, I know Abu Hassanain is my neighbor and that is simply not true." 

Is thirty years 1 to 2 generations?  And when you say rural  communities, where are you referring to?

salam

two generation would be two lunar calendar cycles rougly 60 years .

examples islamberg in ny, and their one in ga. the suffi retreat in upstate the shia retreat in upstate ny the one in the southwest, the ansarallah in upstate and ga, the various moorish communitis ortpst, gillani outposts etc 

norther maine i have been would be horrible unless we can build hospitals, schools, etc those things are hours apart there . 

to live rural mostly you have less state and county wellfare, bad schols, bad medical, few social ammenities like musuems, restraunts, coffe and tea cultrue, zoos, etc 

you have more drug use, and the threat of inter faith marriage 

the states with the most muslims tend to have grwat college and medical california, michigan, new york, washington, dc beltway massachutes, ohio, 

texas and ga are expections to medical and schools .

wallahu alam 

[Gaius I. Caesar]

On 9/16/2026 at 3:29 PM, Abu Hassanain said:

you have more drug use, and the threat of inter faith marriage 

The drug abuse is especially prevalent in inner cities, my parents were adamant about not living there; I can't say I blame them.  

On 9/16/2026 at 3:29 PM, Abu Hassanain said:

to live rural mostly you have less state and county wellfare, bad schols, bad medical, few social ammenities like musuems, restraunts, coffe and tea cultrue, zoos, etc 

That is not true about the state and county welfare, Shaykh. As I stated, we can apply online. There is no reason not to. As for social amenities, there  are plenty of museums and restaurants, coffee shops are ubiquitous in the US. There is culture in smaller towns, that's the appeal. That's why people move there. You seem adamant that the only solution is to live in a city. As I said before, if the Ummah stay in a few select cities, how can our community expect be nationwide? 

 

On 9/16/2026 at 3:29 PM, Abu Hassanain said:

the states with the most muslims tend to have grwat college and medical california, michigan, new york, washington, dc beltway massachutes, ohio, 

 It's getting more expensive to live in those areas and the medical, well, compared to the rest of the world, our healthcare is a joke. 

[Abu Hassanain]

2 hours ago, Gaius I. Caesar said:

The drug abuse is especially prevalent in inner cities, my parents were adamant about not living there; I can't say I blame them.  

That is not true about the state and county welfare, Shaykh. As I stated, we can apply online. There is no reason not to. As for social amenities, there  are plenty of museums and restaurants, coffee shops are ubiquitous in the US. There is culture in smaller towns, that's the appeal. That's why people move there. You seem adamant that the only solution is to live in a city. As I said before, if the Ummah stay in a few select cities, how can our community expect be nationwide? 

 

 It's getting more expensive to live in those areas and the medical, well, compared to the rest of the world, our healthcare is a joke. 

Salam

New York City gives a whole slew of Wellfare programs through the city on top of what the county state and federal government gives near me. Cleveland has a lot more programs for the disabled that my rural county doesn’t.

Applying online is only for the basic programs that are nationwide. Some of these places have specific programs to help the people, especially people with disabilities like my wife and son.

I have lived deep in the inner city ghetto, and I have to say that the drug abuse in the rural area seems to be just as bad if not worse

The difference is, you don’t have the blade gangs distributing the drugs that you would’ve been in our city that’s about the only difference I see

I’d have to have specific examples of what small towns you’re mentioning that have culture. I haven’t seen that again. I’ve been through a lot of places.

I’m not against our community moving to smaller towns and building businesses and Housing. I just have not seen a practical model of how that’s done.

You mentioned North Main. I don’t know if you’ve actually been there just reading about it. I was there once so I can’t comment extensively.

I don’t think we’re gonna create something similar to the Amish on a large scale

I guess I’m not necessarily saying only big cities, but I’m looking at more diverse progressive excepting areas
 

I have been living in a somewhat out of suburb rural area for eight years and as soon as my son graduates from high school, I might move to an adult homeless shelter with my wife so that we can get low income disabled apartment

I wouldn’t be thinking about that if the suburbs in rural areas were wonderful

I respect your opinion. I’m just wondering, have you been to any of these for all areas in person and what are your thoughts?

Based on your screen name, I always assume you’re Italian, but I’m wondering what your ethnic background is and how that affects the places you’ve lived your experience if you don’t want to share that’s OK

wallahu Alam 

[Gaius I. Caesar]

4 hours ago, Abu Hassanain said:

I have lived deep in the inner city ghetto, and I have to say that the drug abuse in the rural area seems to be just as bad if not worse

The difference is, you don’t have the blade gangs distributing the drugs that you would’ve been in our city that’s about the only difference I see

I lived near and been to the most dangerous ghettos. The inner cities are by far worse than anything rural. The gun violence is on a different level, brother.  I don't understand why anyone would willingly live there.  There is no safety, no culture or value . If I had a wife and kid, I would making hijrah away from any inner cities in the US. 

 

4 hours ago, Abu Hassanain said:

I guess I’m not necessarily saying only big cities, but I’m looking at more diverse progressive excepting areas

Right now I live in a progressive area and from my experience, I don't  really see a difference between here and a red state. Other than the fact  if I still lived in a red state, I wouldn't have benefits. Sorry for being terse, I'm tired.

4 hours ago, Abu Hassanain said:

Applying online is only for the basic programs that are nationwide. Some of these places have specific programs to help the people, especially people with disabilities like my wife and son.

I'm disabled as well, I understand how difficult these programs can be. 

4 hours ago, Abu Hassanain said:

You mentioned North Main. I don’t know if you’ve actually been there just reading about it. I was there once so I can’t comment extensively

I was born there and my parents never had a problem except the isolation. I lived in the South as well.

4 hours ago, Abu Hassanain said:

Based on your screen name, I always assume you’re Italian, but I’m wondering what your ethnic background is and how that affects the places you’ve lived your experience if you don’t want to share that’s OK

Not Italian, the disability plays a bigger role in my experience than my ethnicity.

4 hours ago, Abu Hassanain said:

I’d have to have specific examples of what small towns you’re mentioning that have culture. I haven’t seen that again. I’ve been through a lot of places.

When you say culture, what specific cultures are you talking about. If you been through a lot of places,  then you know that all towns have a specific culture to them, if you haven't seen that, then I wonder what kind of places you have been to? 

Edited September 18 by Gaius I. Caesar

[Gaius I. Caesar]

On 9/16/2026 at 3:29 PM, Abu Hassanain said:

examples islamberg in ny, and their one in ga. the suffi retreat in upstate the shia retreat in upstate ny the one in the southwest, the ansarallah in upstate and ga, the various moorish communitis ortpst, gillani outposts etc

Out of all these examples, only one is Shi'i and it is a retreat, the rest are Sufi  or Moorish or some kind of combination. So it's a no go for me.

 

4 hours ago, Abu Hassanain said:

I don’t think we’re gonna create something similar to the Amish on a large scale

No, we can't, what the Amish did goes against the Quran anyway. 

[AbbasAbdHadi313]

Insha'Allah the comments can stay on topic so when I check notifications I don't have to skim through a whole other conversation insha'Allah

[Gaius I. Caesar]

22 hours ago, AbbasAbdHadi313 said:

Insha'Allah the comments can stay on topic so when I check notifications I don't have to skim through a whole other conversation insha'Allah

Sorry, I found a Shia masjid in Tampa but nothing in Fort Myers: https://shiatent.com/listing/islamic-education-center-of-tampa/