Positives & Negatives of Living in the West

[LordJames]

Many of us live in the West, or at least in countries different from those of our parents or ancestors.

What do you think are the positive and negative effects of living away from your ancestral homeland?

Note to the usual trolls: Insulting someone for doing honest, working-class jobs like driving a taxi, cleaning (Toilets or whatever), or waiting tables is pointless. There’s no shame in working hard to support your family — in fact, it’s something to be respected.

I’ve already included your typical insult in this post.

Let me add that Islam teaches you most of these things anyways and due to cultural influence many people (back home) just don’t realize let alone follow it.

Thanks.​

 

[LordJames]

Personal Appearance Insults

A few years after 9/11, (may be) during General Musharraf’s rule—after Pakistan had changed its Afghan policy—Condoleezza Rice visited or passed through Pakistan. I remember reading a well-known Islamic magazine at the time, and the article began with, describing her as:

"Monkey-faced, ugly, dark-skinned N****, coming to Pakistan to teach us about human rights."*

What disturbed me most was that this article was widely praised and shared in Pakistan, even among practicing Muslims and scholars. That was the moment I realized how deeply disconnected many people in society are from the basic teachings of Islam — and even from basic human decency.

 

[JaDed]

Positives: Freedom of thought and expression, taxes being utilized properly, value of life.

Negatives: Starting fresh(which can b pro), Subtle racism, Family support ,quirks that i grew up with in India basically choti khushiyaan not available here.

 

[LordJames]

Good While You Contribute

A friend of mine works in the medical field. His job used to involve visiting elderly people at their homes to check on their well-being.

He told me that, many times, he found them soaked in their own urine and feces — sometimes for days — and had to report it so someone could come and clean them.

On one occasion, he even found someone who had been dead for several days, and he had to call the police.

The experience was so traumatic that he quit his job.​

 

[LordJames]

Positives: Freedom of thought and expression, taxes being utilized properly, value of life.

Negatives: Starting fresh(which can b pro), Subtle racism, Family support ,quirks that i grew up with in India basically choti khushiyaan not available here.

Clarifying the "Why Don’t You Move Back Home?" Comment

In many discussions — whether on Islamic or non-Islamic forums — it’s common to hear people, both Muslims and non-Muslims, throw out remarks like:
​

“You ran away,” or
“Why don’t you move back home?”​

It’s important to clarify something here:

Many living in the West didn’t "move" here at all. A large number were born and raised in places like London, Chicago, or Toronto. Some are second or even third generation. These cities are their home — often the only home they've ever known.

So when people say “go back home,” they’re missing the point. For many, there is no “back” — this is home.

Even if someone wasn’t born in the West, this can still be their home.

There is no religious or cultural rule that says a person must live in a certain country to have the right to speak about issues like Kashmir, Gaza, Imran Khan, the BJP, or any other topic.

Where someone lives doesn’t take away their right to care, to contribute to the conversation, or to stand up for what they believe is right.​

 

[sweep_shot]

I have spent my first 15 years in Bangladesh and rest of 19 years in Canada.

Pros and cons of living in west:

Pros:
- Very little corruption (compared to back home).
- More accountability.
- Freedom of speech.
- Better living standard.
- You can practice faith freely.

Cons:
- Too many red tapes at times.
- High costs.
- High taxes.
- Too much wokeness.

I think there are more pros than cons.

 

[LordJames]

Apology & Pathway to Redemption

In the West, when someone commits a serious crime and gets caught, they often apologize. Even if the apology comes after being caught, it’s usually accepted at face value. Society may limit some of their choices, but they are still given chances to rebuild their lives and return to society.

Similarly, Islam is built on the understanding that humans are not perfect — we make mistakes and fall into sin. But no matter how serious the sin, Islam offers a path to redemption for everyone. With sincere repentance, a person can return to the mercy of Allah and start again. But humans have instrument or method to judge "sincerity" so they have to take an apology on face value.

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