>> Assalamu alaikum<<

Assalamu alaikum Sister habebe39,

I know this will sound silly, but, you should not let language be a barrier to making friends with the Muslimahs in your area.  Of course they are going to be more comfortable speaking in their mother tongue and will often slip back into it when you are there, don't let that stop you.

Where I live, there are only four Muslim families.  When we four sisters get together I am invariably "left out" as they slip into Arabic and chat.  At first, this really bothered me, I felt so left out.  Over time, I have learned that I do feel better visiting with them than not, so I take them any way I can, because I remember how lonely it was before I found any Muslims in my city.

I interject often in the conversation with things like "what did she say?', or "was she talking about her son?" and so on.  They are getting better and better at remembering to mostly talk English when I am around.  The bonus is I get to "hang out" with some wonderful, fun and pious sisters while picking up a second language to boot!  What could be better?

Look at all the different languages people on this forum speak, yet, somehow, we all manage to understand one another.  Try not to look at their speaking their language in front of you as an insult or snub of any kind, they just find it easier.  If you make an extra effort to be friendly and open with them, I am sure they will eventually invite you into their "inner circle" of friends.  And, try hard to pick up a few words in their language - they will love you for the effort!

I wish you the best and hope that you will be able to make friends with some of the women around you.  I know from experience how lonely it can be with no Muslims to talk to.

Peace, ummziba.