Make Hijrah Finance

The Real Numbers Behind Making Hijrah

Show notes from the Make Hijrah Finance show. Real people. Real costs. What worked, what didn't, and what they'd do differently.

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How to use this page

Every episode below has the key numbers and lessons. Read them, then take the readiness assessment. It takes a few minutes and shows you exactly where you stand on income, savings, and readiness.

Episode 2

Built in Canada, Rebuilt in Egypt: Omar El Hayati

Watch the full episode: [YOUTUBE LINK]

The story

Omar ran a restaurant, a mobile car detailing business, and a marketing agency in Canada. He moved to Egypt with about $3,000 CAD and built new income from his skills.

Key numbers

  • Canada, single: about $1,500 CAD rent, plus food and transport
  • Egypt, with wife and child: about $500 to $700 USD a month, living comfortably
  • First meal prep business: about $15,000 USD in gross sales in the first 3 months, 30 to 40% profit margin
  • Business license and tax ID: about 8 months to complete

Key lessons

  1. Your skills travel. He rebuilt with marketing and food skills he brought from Canada.
  2. Small opportunities grow. A no-profit favor for a friend became a farm business.
  3. When you're starting fresh, spending is dangerous. Stabilize first, enjoy later.
  4. Community keeps you here. He arrived knowing no one and built his network one conversation at a time.
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Episode 1

From Atlanta Hustler to Hijrah: Abu Yahya Mujaahid

Watch the full episode: [YOUTUBE LINK]

The story

Abu Yahya never worked a W2 job. He built multiple businesses in Atlanta, walked away from most of them when he made Hijrah, and rebuilt his income in Egypt.

Key numbers

  • Atlanta rent: $2,000 to $3,500 a month
  • Egypt rent now: about $600 a month, gated community with pools, gym, clubhouse, walking distance to the masjid
  • First months in Egypt, family of 4: about $350 a month total
  • Cost to move a family of 4 (flights, apartment, visas, furniture): about $10,000 to $12,000
  • Cost to furnish a starter rental unit: about $3,500

Key lessons

  1. There's no compounding when you spend everything that comes in.
  2. The biggest mistake: counting your money in dollars instead of local currency.
  3. Your income has to move with you. A paycheck that depends on the West is a risk.
  4. Invest in learning. He invested in mentorship and says it returned many times over.
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This content is educational and based on our guests' personal experiences. It is not financial, legal, or investment advice. Results vary. Costs and exchange rates change over time.