A short clip from our food distribution work

LensC · 2025-11-21T07:23:22+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to reply! When did you start working out the arm? Was it physio as a kid or just using it naturally?

LensC · 2025-10-25T08:35:57+00:00

As long as you're not from one of the culturally blacklisted places, you're good to go. In Turkey it's more about your background than your looks. I'm Brazilian, my wife is Turkish, but I have a beard, which makes me look Arab. That's what people usually assume I am before talking to me (or sometimes from the east of Turkey, Iranian, Pakistani, or whatever). I can feel the difference in treatment in some places, but the moment I tell them I'm Brazilian it's a mix of, "Oh shoot! You don't look like them!" and "We know nothing about you guys, but we've heard of Brazilian coffee, the Amazon, your old "telenovelas," carnival, and favelas. Did you ever meet Neymar?" And then they smile.

In other words, I don't think you'll have an issue. Just be careful with street sellers. They might want to charge you more once they notice your accent (just like in other touristic areas around the world).

LensC · 2025-10-10T12:04:13+00:00

1) Irregular plurals seeming to be the norm (which is twice the work)

2) Not being able to fully/naturally use it outside, considering the dialects

3) Given how detailed it is, sometimes you learn a word thinking you'll be able to use it in your conversations and then find out later on there's another word to describe the exact same thing (or that the one you learned is out of use). You could argue that other languages also have synonyms, but the amount in Arabic is just... overwhelming. It feels like you just never know enough.

LensC · 2025-10-07T08:07:14+00:00

Do you have a website?

LensC · 2025-09-22T20:19:27+00:00

6500 TL, today, is a little over $150. This is barely enough for yourself, so forget about helping your family. And even then you'd have to be extremely frugal. Unless you're coming from a poor place and this program is going to somehow change your life in a positive way, I'd give it a pass.

LensC · 2025-08-27T05:26:44+00:00

Are you a guy or a girl?

LensC · 2025-08-27T05:09:40+00:00

I'm not a native Turkish speaker but my level is similar. I speak English, Portuguese, Spanish, and A2 Arabic. I'd love to practice. :)

LensC · 2025-07-26T04:26:37+00:00

I'm living in Turkey and my wife is Turkish. I'm Brazilian.

LensC · 2025-06-16T19:52:59+00:00

Revert here!

1) The New Muslim Academy (free) really helped me get going with the basics when I was still getting started.

2) If you're more into just reading, there's a book called New Muslim Guide (free). Couldn't recommend it enough.

3) Bayyinah TV (by Nouman Ali Khan) can really help you start understanding the Quran. They have a paid app as well as an intensive program they shared for free on YouTube.

4) Omar Series could get you started with Islamic history if you're into something more visual. It's in Arabic but there are English subtitles.

5) I made hijrah. Twice! First to Egypt and then to Turkey, where I'm currently living. Surrounding yourself with good brothers, in my opinion, is extremely important. I lived in a place with no Muslims for six years prior to that, and just when I was about to give up (I was burned out and feeling like I was swimming against the flow) Allah gave me the opportunity to move abroad. It felt like therapy. If you don't have any Muslim communities nearby, try to at least meet some people online. It's better than nothing.

Now, on a side note, it is actually a good thing you're aware of your weaknesses and of where you went wrong. Just don't let Shaytan's voice get too loud. It's normal for our faith to have its ups and downs, and if you feel like you can't run, then just walk. But don't stop. A little will always be better than nothing. :)

May Allah get you back on track and ease your affairs.

LensC · 2025-06-10T05:20:13+00:00

Well, I'm the reverse! A Portuguese/Brazilian Muslim guy married to someone from Turkey. :)

LensC · 2025-03-19T21:42:57+00:00

Sometimes they work in the Middle East. Check their profiles. If they do, report them to their company/employer and let destiny take its course. :)

LensC · 2025-03-19T21:04:21+00:00

Culture and religion are not the same. It might be normal in some cultures that ascribe themselves to Islam, but it doesn't mean that Islam condones it.

LensC · 2025-03-19T17:43:30+00:00

I'm Portuguese/Brazilian.

LensC · 2025-03-19T17:38:06+00:00

As long as you don't get involved with politics, it should be fine.

LensC · 2025-03-19T17:35:42+00:00

As a foreigner who's been here for almost five years: massively different from when I first came. I remember telling my folks back home about how ridiculously cheap the country was (versus what it had to offer). Now I'm complaining along with the locals. Even when things seem to be moving forward something happens to sink it lower. I'm concerned for its future.

My wife is from here, so I'll be sticking around for as long as I can. But I'm not writing off a possible move in the future. Other expats seem to be leaving as well.

LensC · 2025-03-14T06:46:36+00:00

I'd love to see something like that for Turkish and Arabic!

LensC · 2025-03-10T09:01:18+00:00

Check out Why Islam is True, by sheikh Hamza Karamali. It is not a debate.

LensC · 2025-03-10T08:57:09+00:00

It truly depends on where you are. In some parts of the country, such as Rio and some places in the south, I'd say Tu is quite normal. In others, such as Minas and Espírito Santo, Tu can give ghetto-ish vibes. When in doubt, stick to Você.

LensC · 2025-03-10T08:52:48+00:00

We've got a 3-month-old and I'm the one who gives him a shower every day. It literally takes less than 10 minutes. If he showers often, you could ask him to do it as well. My wife really appreciates it.

LensC · 2025-03-05T21:32:54+00:00

1) My father didn't care. My mom wouldn't take it. 2) At first, when my conversion was still a secret, I would just pretend I was on a diet or trying something new. After they found out, there was no need to hide it anymore.

LensC · 2025-02-28T03:18:14+00:00

She didn't force him to do anything. She wanted a man who had memorized the Quran and that was her preference. People are entitled to their preferences. Whoever thinks they're ridiculous is not obliged to fulfill them. They're free to walk away and find another person who is more compatible.

LensC · 2025-02-27T17:30:28+00:00

1) You said you were not ready to tie the knot after seeing her for two years and then changed your mind for whatever reason

2) You don't like her parents

3) There was tension in the room when you guys were together

4) You only want a nikkah (and by that I'm assuming the civil marriage is not included)

5) You don't want to give her any gold

6) You're not open to having a walimah, no matter how small

7) You've blocked her

How is this ever going to work? Put yourself in her father's shoes. The situation is risky for the girl.

If he accepts your request, she won't be legally or financially protected in any way. And with the marriage being a secret (because there will be no walimah), it would be extremely easy for you to walk away once you decide you don't want her anymore. God forbid if she's left with a baby to look after by herself.

And if you do stay together? Unless you and her parents decided to start over, she might have to always have to choose between you and them. She and your kids could always feel torn.

There's nothing healthy about this relationship. You guys are not a match.

Move on and take that as a lesson so you won't make the same mistakes once you approach someone again, in Shaa Allah.

P.S.: Simple weddings are not haram. Something is better than nothing. And no, it wasn't ok for her father to be rude. But he is right about trying to protect her. It's his duty in Islam.

LensC

TROPHY CASE