Returning “home” after living abroad can feel like two places at once. For the Hijrah Family, going back to America after a move to Madinah, Saudi Arabia wasn’t just a change of scenery—it was a new lens on everything they remembered.
In this honest update, they share comforting moments, surprising differences, and the things that reminded them exactly why they chose to make hijrah. There’s also a strong focus on how their kids are experiencing the return—especially what they miss most from Madinah, and what they instantly loved about home.
First impressions of being back in America
Their trip back to the States began with a sense of amazement that came fast and stayed with them. Travelling from Chicago to Iowa, they noticed the landscape was dramatically green—more than they expected. Within days, rainy, gloomy weather also helped them feel drawn to being outdoors again.
They described the joy of days where the outdoors felt like a place they could actually linger: sitting outside with the laptop, wanting to eat outside, and enjoying the day without the heat they associate with life in Madinah. It’s a small detail, but it captures something important—how environment changes routines, mood, and even what children gravitate towards.
Culture shock: feeling less “left alone”
As soon as they spent time outside their usual Madinah comfort zone, the family noticed they had to be more aware of their surroundings. One moment stood out to them in a parking lot when they felt an unnerving stare from a man while they were at Kohl’s—a reminder of how different it can feel after living somewhere where, as they put it, “everybody is Muslim” and people are more likely to mind their own business.
They also reflected on the sense that Islamophobia has increased. Their takeaway wasn’t just “things are different”, but that they now felt more alert than they did in Madinah—something that weighed on them emotionally and made certain parts of the day feel less safe.
Night-time routines, closures, and the “suspicious” feeling
Another difference they noticed quickly: the rhythm of daily life. In Iowa, they observed that many gas stations close at around 10pm (and they described a wider pattern of places closing early). They compared this to Madinah, where, in their experience, things can stay open much later.
For them, going out at night in America doesn’t feel casual—it feels like you’re doing something you shouldn’t. One of the most relatable parts of their story is how that affects children and parents alike. While their Madinah routine often leaned towards late nights, in America they found themselves keeping a more traditional bedtime schedule.
What they kept the same: kids’ schedules and adaptation
Interestingly, they explained they didn’t entirely let the change dictate their household. They’d always had the discipline of a routine during their time in Madinah, including curfews and bedtime rhythms.
When they first moved to Madinah, their children’s sleeping patterns were chaotic for a short while—sometimes hitting 1am, 2am, or even 3am because of a big transition and a newborn at home. But they adjusted quickly, and during Ramadan their friends teased them for maintaining the schedule because, in their words, “everybody in Medina is up until you guys are going to sleep.”
The result?
That same consistency helped them during the return period too—proof that family stability often matters as much as location.
Masjids, prayer, and what feels “not the same”
One of the strongest emotional themes in the video is the difference in spiritual ease—especially around jama’ah and finding prayer opportunities.
The Hijrah Family described how in Madinah, praying felt natural because people seemed to move with the rhythm of salah. They remembered seeing people lined up for prayer in public spaces and even noted the existence of small prayer setups such as masjids in street-adjacent spaces, including structures made from palm leaves. They also mentioned the convenience of finding places to pray during road trips, including moments where a masjid could be found at different stopping points.
Back in America, they have a local masjid close by and their experience isn’t portrayed as lacking faith or options—rather, they feel that the experience is simply “not the same” as it was in Madinah. Their son in particular missed the ability to walk to their local masjid for jama’ah.
What their kids miss most about Madinah
Kids’ impressions weren’t limited to what they disliked about America. They were clear about what they genuinely missed.
One of their biggest requests right after arriving in the States was straightforward: “Take us to library.” Libraries became a highlight immediately.
Yet alongside that excitement came the deep longing for Madinah’s community life—especially friends, co-ops, homeschooling activities, and the expat community. They also missed the outdoor pace and daytime activities, which were more accessible in Madinah’s lifestyle.
It’s a balanced picture: the children are enjoying Iowa, but their hearts still pull towards the people and routines that helped them thrive in Madinah.
Food reality check: pork ingredients and asking questions
Another difference they were very open about is eating out and ingredient uncertainty. In America, they’ve found themselves needing to ask questions they didn’t have to think about in the same way in Madinah.
They shared that when they eat out, they often need to check whether foods contain pork products, including items that might not be expected—like certain fillings, sauces, or even doughnut shop frying practices. They mentioned examples where bacon or pork fat were included even when it wasn’t clearly stated on the menu.
For them, this created a noticeable shift in how they approach groceries too: in Madinah, ingredients and dietary concerns could be simpler to manage, but back in the States they read labels carefully as a matter of precaution.
Missing family support—and the comfort of being back
Despite the cultural friction points, they also emphasised one major comfort: family and friends. Being back means access to help with the kids—uncles, parents, and extended family support. For many expat families, that kind of community assistance becomes a lifeline, especially during busy transitions.
They also noted that visiting can do something emotionally positive: it reminds you why you left in the first place. While they experienced homesickness, their overall reflection is that time in Madinah helped their children thrive, and returning to America confirmed the reasons behind their hijrah journey.
Final thoughts: remembering why you chose hijrah
This return isn’t framed as a simple “home is better” or “abroad was perfect”. Instead, it’s portrayed as a richer understanding of both places. In America, they’ve found comfort in family support and loved moments like greenery and libraries. But in Madinah, they felt stronger spiritual convenience, a deeper sense of safety, and a community rhythm that’s difficult to replicate.
And even with everything that feels different now, they already know one thing clearly: they’re looking forward to getting back to Madinah—inshallah.
Want to watch more from the Hijrah Family?
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to return to your home country after living abroad, this is a powerful, relatable “keep it real” perspective—especially for homeschooling families and intentional Muslim communities.
- Ask yourself: Did it feel like home—or like something you had to relearn?
- Did you miss your old routines more than you expected?
- What surprised you most when you returned?
Tell the Hijrah Family what you think in the comments—and if you’d like help planning your own faith-focused travel or family journey, contact Sakina Tours for curated, experience-led itineraries.
