Moving to Baltimore, advice on Arab and Muslim friendly cities? (Columbia: construction, good schools)

[a2girl05]

We will be moving to Baltimore sometime this month because of my husband's job relocation. We are Arabic and Muslim and wondering what are some good areas in or around Baltimore to live where we can raise a family (we have 3 kids) with a mosque close by and good schools. Would love to live somewhere diverse. My husband will be working in Baltimore close to downtown and doesn't mind driving an hour to get to and from work. I've been doing some research and the city Columbia keeps getting my attention. Seems like good schools, somewhat affordable, and not that far from Baltimore. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!

[Chaofan]

Columbia prides itself on being inclusive and diverse. There are several interfaith centers, at least one of which seems to include a Muslim congregation.

[barante]

Some of the oldtimers may remember the old Garland's garden store on Ingleside Avenue in Westview. Guess what? A copper cupola under construction signals that the remodeled building will be a mosque.

And if you can picture where the Baltimore Hebrew is at the northeast corner of Park Heights and Slade/Smith. The white mansion across the street at that corner also is a mosque.

I don't know about how Baltimore compares in tolerance but mosques are cropping up in all kinds of places. And I am not talking about the Nation of Islam, either.

[KodeBlue]

There's a large Arabic/Muslin presence in Catonsville/Winsdor Mill.

[BMoreJuice]

Catonsville, Ellicot City, Woodlawn have a high Arab/Muslim population. In fact, Route 40 has many Halel markets and such. Upper Baltimore has a larger Jewish population. They won't bother you but you may be looked at weirdly if you go into a kosher market.

[xxengineerxx]

I don't understand this. You automatically assumed most of the population will have some sort of discrimination just because you are Muslim or Arab....You are doing reverse discrimination. Most of the area is pretty tolerant to racial diversity. .But to have a mindset like your, telling me you are basically assuming discrimination.......
Even I don't live in MD anyway, please don't move if you have this kind of mindset..

p/s I am not White btw and I grew in Muslim country....so yes

[emmiesix]

Originally Posted by xxengineerxx

I don't understand this. You automatically assumed most of the population will have some sort of discrimination just because you are Muslim or Arab....You are doing reverse discrimination. Most of the area is pretty tolerant to racial diversity. .But to have a mindset like your, telling me you are basically assuming discrimination.......
Even I don't live in MD anyway, please don't move if you have this kind of mindset..

p/s I am not White btw and I grew in Muslim country....so yes

The original poster didn't say anything about discrimination, I think you are seriously deluded. She asked where would be a good area, meaning, a nearby mosque and good schools. Would you tell a christian or jew looking for a particular church/synagogue that they were "doing reverse discrimination" (which is not a thing, there is only discrimination)?? Even if she WERE asking about possible discrimination, I would not be offended considering the climate towards muslims in parts of the US. If you are not from here it would be confusing and a real concern, considering the harassment that muslims (and even people that get confused with muslims, like the Shieks) have faced. I think her questions are perfectly understandable.

[numbers101]

Originally Posted by xxengineerxx

I don't understand this. You automatically assumed most of the population will have some sort of discrimination just because you are Muslim or Arab...

Maybe she won't get discriminated against as an Arab, because most of the Arabs in the US are white and come from the Levant area (they are not real Arabians from the Gulf). But as a Muslim, her assumption is correct. Better believe that if you are of the brown race or your attire gives away that you are Muslim, the overwhelming majority of this country hates you. They may not show it right away, they may smile in your face even. But trust me, they hate you. Her question is perfectly legitimate.

[dcsfanatic]

Baltimore is a little bit xenophobic. Northern Virginia would be a better bet for Muslims.

[emmiesix]

Originally Posted by numbers101

Maybe she won't get discriminated against as an Arab, because most of the Arabs in the US are white and come from the Levant area (they are not real Arabians from the Gulf). But as a Muslim, her assumption is correct. Better believe that if you are of the brown race or your attire gives away that you are Muslim, the overwhelming majority of this country hates you. They may not show it right away, they may smile in your face even. But trust me, they hate you. Her question is perfectly legitimate.

I think saying an "overwhelming majority" in this country hate muslims is going to far. I think a small minority actually hates (rabid tea baggers, basically), and there is a larger percentage that is afraid for no good reason (being sheltered and whipped up by talk radio and fox news and unchallenged community norms), but I would bet that in Baltimore city the vast majority of people do not have any hatred or fear of muslims at all. I can't say that with confidence about places that are more rural. I think the biggest issue is *where* such feelings are concentrated... and I think the answer is, like it has been for so long for so many people, "not in the cities".