19 Years in the Making
Before Mai met her husband, Shariyf had this dream of buying land in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. His initial vision in 1992 was 140 acres of land, in an area known as Canyon Milagro. The years passed but the dream remained. In 2002, they married and he shared his dream with her and she greened the dream. They didn't know exactly how they could make the dream a reality with the hustle and bustle of the American lifestyle.
In 2003, out of sheer necessity, they turned their back yard into a natural/organic garden as they were both poor and hungry. This was one of the first steps in preparation to learning how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Over the years they went on camping trips, visited Native American museums, Energyfests, Plimoth Plantation, and other historical places that would teach them about the simple, homesteading life.
In 2009 they left the United States so Shariyf could take a teaching position at Taibah University, Madinah al Munawarrah, to put them in an environment more conducive to their spiritual well-being. In two years, the blessings of Allah brought them 51 acres of land located in Roy, New Mexico. The price was within their grasp so they began the process to purchase the land. On July 18th, 2011 the next stage in their dream became a reality...they were now land owners.
It is was their plan to continue to reside in Saudi Arabia and return to America to develop their land during the summer breaks. They had hoped to make a final transition to the land in 2019. However, the religious and political situation in the kingdom was changing for the worse. So, in 2015 they decided to move to their land and lived in tents. Later they purchased a travel trailer. During this time, they encouraged like-minded Muslims to join them. Slowly but surely, other Muslims joined them. They went from a community of 5 to 48 members. Insha'Allah, the community will continue to grow and be a shining example of Islam.
In 2003, out of sheer necessity, they turned their back yard into a natural/organic garden as they were both poor and hungry. This was one of the first steps in preparation to learning how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Over the years they went on camping trips, visited Native American museums, Energyfests, Plimoth Plantation, and other historical places that would teach them about the simple, homesteading life.
In 2009 they left the United States so Shariyf could take a teaching position at Taibah University, Madinah al Munawarrah, to put them in an environment more conducive to their spiritual well-being. In two years, the blessings of Allah brought them 51 acres of land located in Roy, New Mexico. The price was within their grasp so they began the process to purchase the land. On July 18th, 2011 the next stage in their dream became a reality...they were now land owners.
It is was their plan to continue to reside in Saudi Arabia and return to America to develop their land during the summer breaks. They had hoped to make a final transition to the land in 2019. However, the religious and political situation in the kingdom was changing for the worse. So, in 2015 they decided to move to their land and lived in tents. Later they purchased a travel trailer. During this time, they encouraged like-minded Muslims to join them. Slowly but surely, other Muslims joined them. They went from a community of 5 to 48 members. Insha'Allah, the community will continue to grow and be a shining example of Islam.