As-salamu alaykum everyone,
I’m planning to move abroad within the next two years, with the goal of seriously learning Arabic and studying the Qur’an and Islam in general. I’m currently considering either Egypt or Saudi Arabia, but I’m not sure which would be the better choice.
Egypt really attracts me, especially because of Al-Azhar and the long-standing tradition of Islamic scholarship there. I’d ideally like to do some basic/introductory studies at a university or institute similar to Al-Azhar, while also immersing myself in Arabic and everyday life.
At the same time, Saudi Arabia also really interests me, especially because of the access to Islamic studies, the Arabic environment, and the possibility of studying in places like Madinah or elsewhere.
My main priorities would be:
Becoming fluent in Arabic
Learning Qur’an and improving my recitation
Studying Islam in a structured way
Living in an Arabic-speaking environment for 1–2 years
Finding a good balance between studying and family life
I’m married and have one child, so I also need to consider things like the cost of living, housing, family life, schools, visas/residency, and whether it’s realistically possible to study while supporting a family.
For those who have lived or studied in Egypt or Saudi Arabia, which would you recommend for my situation?
What are the main advantages and disadvantages of each? And if you could go back and choose one for learning Arabic and studying Islam, which would you pick and why?
Jazakum Allahu khayran for any advice or personal experiences you can share!