It takes extraordinary courage for a rich and famous Hindu to embrace Islam and be faced with the ire of Hindu extremists, who recently murdered an Australian Missionary priest and his two lovely children by burning them alive.
The celebrated Indian novelist and poetess Dr. Kamala Das is now Suraiyya. Her Krishna poems are replaced by Ya Allah.
Kamala's "My Story" has been published in more than 15 languages and is a text book in Japan. Her English poetry collections include: Summer in Calcutta, Alphabet of Lust, The Descendants, Old Play House, and Only the Soul Knows How to Sing. She has been awarded numerous prizes and was the only Malayalee to be nominated for the Nobel Prize.
Here is part of the "Times of India" article:
I like Islam's orthodox lifestyle: Kamala Das S Balakrishnan
The Times of India
MUMBAI: Noted writer Kamala Das finds herself in the eye of a storm following her recent decision to embrace Islam and change her name to Suraiya. This is not the first time she finds herself embroiled in a controversy. Her writings in the past have generated considerable heat. But the earlier controversies were essentially confined to literary circles. Her decision to convert to Islam has taken Kerla by storm with applause and criticism both flying in her direction. The Times of India spoke to her over the telephone at her home in Kochi on Tuesday evening. Excerpts:
Question: When exactly did you decide to embrace Islam? Answer: I do not remember the exact time. I think it was about 27 years ago.
Q: Why did you wait so long to convert? A: When I discussed the matter first with my husband in the early seventies, he asked me to wait. He advised me to read books on Islam. I again thought of converting before the 1984 parliamentary elections.
But, not all my children were married and settled at that time. I did not want my decision to impact on their lives. Now, all of them are well settled and happy. Hence, I have announced my decision now.
Q: Who introduced you to Islam? A: My first interface with Islam was through two blind Muslim children, Irshad Ahmed and Imtiaz Ahmed. They were sent to me by the National Association for the Blind since I had volunteered to read and teach the blind. The children virtually stayed at our flat at Bank House at Churchgate, Mumbai. I was required to read them Islamic scriptures.
Q: What was it in Islam which attracted you? A: I liked the purdah which Muslim women wore. I liked the orthodox lifestyle of Muslim women.
Q: But, doesn't the Purdah circumscribe your freedom? A: I don't want freedom. I had enough of it thrust on me. Freedom had become a burden for me. I want guidelines to regulate and discipline my life. I want a master to protect me. I wanted protection and not freedom. I want to be subservient to Allah. In fact, for the past 24 years I had worn a purdah off and on. I had gone to markets, matinee shows and even while abroad I had worn purdah. I have several of them.
A woman in purdah is respected. No one touches you or teases you if you wear one. You get total protection.
Q: But isn't freedom the most precious of all gifts enjoyed by humankind? A: My freedom had become frayed at the edges. It was not good any more. It was no more the toy I wanted to play with. I had outgrown the desire for freedom.
Q: What was the immediate reason to accept Islam? A: Recently I was travelling in a car from the Malabar to Kochi. I started the journey at 5.45 a.m. I looked at the rising sun. Surprisingly, it had the colour of a setting sun. It travelled with me and at 7.00 a.m. it turned white. For years I have been looking for signs telling me when to convert. Finally, I got the message.
Q: Can you please specify the three chief reasons which prompted you to become a Muslim? A: I cannot list the reasons like that. I wanted protection. My husband died seven years ago and I am now a lonely widow who is 67 years old. When he was there he provided me with protection. I had not to bother about getting tickets, passports, visa and such other things. I just had to follow him.
Q: Did your children approve of your decision? A: Yes they did. They respect my decision. In fact, one of my sons has embraced Buddhism.
For additional reading: High priestess of love "The Week" "How I embraced Islam "-Islamic Bulletin Kamala Das, nee Surayya, is VHP's new hate object - Rediff on the Net. "The Hindu" newspaper article: Suraiyya triggers purdah boom Famous Indian writer embraces Islam - Khaleej Times
source : http://islamedia.ws/
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Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Iman from Italy finds Islam
By Mrs N. Hashim
The convert has asked to remain anonymous for her own reasons. I will call her "Iman" for although she is a new Muslim she has a faith that comes to many people only after countless hours of study and reflection. Her discovery and belief in Islam has come through such an unusual channel that its' purity and innocence alone is refreshing.
Iman was born in Italy and migrated with her parents to Canada when she was small. She was educated in Roman Catholic parochial schools equipped with nuns and priests and the daily lessons in catechism. She says that they spoke endlessly of their homeland and without the intention, instilled in Iman a yearning to see Italy.
When she finished her university she went for a vacation to Italy and found it more lovely than she had imagined. She had found her passion in life and after much contemplation, she made the move and lived there for six years.
She was never the materialistic type but more on the intellectual side and spent all her free time at museums and art galleries and Italian operas. She says quite animatedly, if one wants to enjoy life, then Italy is the place to go.
In Italy, she met a Jordanian man and married him, moving immediately to Jordan. The fact that he was Arabic-speaking and Muslim did not daunt her and she never gave it any other thought. She disliked having to leave Italy and felt homesick in the beginning. She was shocked by the Muslim way of dress and felt compassion for the covered women. She saw her mother-in-law wake at Fajr for prayer and made up her mind that it was definitely not the religion for her.
Iman always believed in God but was not a practising Christian. She had friends of both faiths in Jordan and she noticed some prejudice from the Christian Arabs towards the Muslims and thought perhaps because the Christians are a minority they felt threatened. She was dismayed when a Christian friend in Jordan who wanted to be Muslim had to run away from home to do so. Her family had warned her against it; there was nothing else she could do.
She came to Saudi Arabia with her husband and, as happens to many women, she found herself with lots of time on her hands and spent it reflecting about what life means and the direction hers was taking. Being away from the mundane things forced her to re-evaluate her life. She recalled many happenings from Jordan and began to think about Islam.
Iman never contemplated becoming Muslim until her son began school. She wanted to know what it was he was learning and how she might be able to help him in his studies. She thought that she should at least know what he expected of her. Her son is extremely intuitive and sensitive and she could tell that he was concerned about the souls of his parents. His father was not in the habit of taking him to the mosque but when he was in first grade he asked to go. This made a big impression on her coming from someone so young. She thought, could it be he knows something that I don't?
A Muslim friend gave her a book about Islam entitled Islam in Focus. She says she almost became convinced just from the introduction of the book. From her continued reading she found answers to Roman Catholic doctrines she had questioned long ago. For instance, how could it be that, if a child died before he was baptised that he would not go to heaven but instead stay in limbo. She learned that Islam teaches no form of original sin. She also learned about Jesus in Islam. This was a big factor in that before converting she felt she would be turning her back on everything she had been taught; that he was God made man and had died for our sins on the cross. "And when it is recited to them, they say; 'We believe therein, for it is the truth from our Lord: indeed we have been Muslims (bowing to Allah's will) from before this'". (Quran 28:53)
Looking back she realises how ridiculous it was. She understands that God does not make mistakes. He has sent us thousands of Prophets and now suddenly he comes to earth in the form of a man to convince mankind. No, the Prophets were all men, chosen for a specific purpose. She understands that man has included these items in the religion and they are not from God.
When some of her Christian friends learned of her intention to convert they disappeared from her life instantly. She finds it difficult to comprehend that they are not interested in finding out the truth and she is sure they have the same doubts that she had. People all over the world who had never heard of Islam before are becoming Muslim and the people who have been raised in Muslim countries deny the truth of Islam. Its incredible!
She was worried that she would not be able to pray five times a day. Coming from a Christian background it certainly seemed in-surmountable but she said it was so easy to do and she began to look forward to the next prayer time. Now she finds herself completely absorbed when she prays and is at peace and quite content that she has made the right choice.
She often thinks about her six years in Italy being wasted, in that she could have spent that time learning about Islam. It is strange to think that she was once so happy there, enjoying all that life could offer. She says alhamdulillah over and over for the gift of Islam.
"By no means shall ye attain righteousness unless ye give (freely) of that which ye love: and whatever ye give, Allah knoweth it well." (Quran 3:92) http://islamicweb.com/begin/newMuslims/convert_italy.htm
Source : http://www.islamselect.com
The convert has asked to remain anonymous for her own reasons. I will call her "Iman" for although she is a new Muslim she has a faith that comes to many people only after countless hours of study and reflection. Her discovery and belief in Islam has come through such an unusual channel that its' purity and innocence alone is refreshing.
Iman was born in Italy and migrated with her parents to Canada when she was small. She was educated in Roman Catholic parochial schools equipped with nuns and priests and the daily lessons in catechism. She says that they spoke endlessly of their homeland and without the intention, instilled in Iman a yearning to see Italy.
When she finished her university she went for a vacation to Italy and found it more lovely than she had imagined. She had found her passion in life and after much contemplation, she made the move and lived there for six years.
She was never the materialistic type but more on the intellectual side and spent all her free time at museums and art galleries and Italian operas. She says quite animatedly, if one wants to enjoy life, then Italy is the place to go.
In Italy, she met a Jordanian man and married him, moving immediately to Jordan. The fact that he was Arabic-speaking and Muslim did not daunt her and she never gave it any other thought. She disliked having to leave Italy and felt homesick in the beginning. She was shocked by the Muslim way of dress and felt compassion for the covered women. She saw her mother-in-law wake at Fajr for prayer and made up her mind that it was definitely not the religion for her.
Iman always believed in God but was not a practising Christian. She had friends of both faiths in Jordan and she noticed some prejudice from the Christian Arabs towards the Muslims and thought perhaps because the Christians are a minority they felt threatened. She was dismayed when a Christian friend in Jordan who wanted to be Muslim had to run away from home to do so. Her family had warned her against it; there was nothing else she could do.
She came to Saudi Arabia with her husband and, as happens to many women, she found herself with lots of time on her hands and spent it reflecting about what life means and the direction hers was taking. Being away from the mundane things forced her to re-evaluate her life. She recalled many happenings from Jordan and began to think about Islam.
Iman never contemplated becoming Muslim until her son began school. She wanted to know what it was he was learning and how she might be able to help him in his studies. She thought that she should at least know what he expected of her. Her son is extremely intuitive and sensitive and she could tell that he was concerned about the souls of his parents. His father was not in the habit of taking him to the mosque but when he was in first grade he asked to go. This made a big impression on her coming from someone so young. She thought, could it be he knows something that I don't?
A Muslim friend gave her a book about Islam entitled Islam in Focus. She says she almost became convinced just from the introduction of the book. From her continued reading she found answers to Roman Catholic doctrines she had questioned long ago. For instance, how could it be that, if a child died before he was baptised that he would not go to heaven but instead stay in limbo. She learned that Islam teaches no form of original sin. She also learned about Jesus in Islam. This was a big factor in that before converting she felt she would be turning her back on everything she had been taught; that he was God made man and had died for our sins on the cross. "And when it is recited to them, they say; 'We believe therein, for it is the truth from our Lord: indeed we have been Muslims (bowing to Allah's will) from before this'". (Quran 28:53)
Looking back she realises how ridiculous it was. She understands that God does not make mistakes. He has sent us thousands of Prophets and now suddenly he comes to earth in the form of a man to convince mankind. No, the Prophets were all men, chosen for a specific purpose. She understands that man has included these items in the religion and they are not from God.
When some of her Christian friends learned of her intention to convert they disappeared from her life instantly. She finds it difficult to comprehend that they are not interested in finding out the truth and she is sure they have the same doubts that she had. People all over the world who had never heard of Islam before are becoming Muslim and the people who have been raised in Muslim countries deny the truth of Islam. Its incredible!
She was worried that she would not be able to pray five times a day. Coming from a Christian background it certainly seemed in-surmountable but she said it was so easy to do and she began to look forward to the next prayer time. Now she finds herself completely absorbed when she prays and is at peace and quite content that she has made the right choice.
She often thinks about her six years in Italy being wasted, in that she could have spent that time learning about Islam. It is strange to think that she was once so happy there, enjoying all that life could offer. She says alhamdulillah over and over for the gift of Islam.
"By no means shall ye attain righteousness unless ye give (freely) of that which ye love: and whatever ye give, Allah knoweth it well." (Quran 3:92) http://islamicweb.com/begin/newMuslims/convert_italy.htm
Source : http://www.islamselect.com
A French Doctor of Medicine Narrates his Adherence to Islam
As a Doctor of Medicine, and a descendant of a French Catholic family, the very choice of my profession has given me a solid scientific culture that had prepared me very little for a mystic life. Not that I did believe in Allah, but that the dogmas and rites of Christianity in general and of Catholicism in particular never permitted me to feel His presence. Thus, my unitary sentiment for God forbade my accepting the dogma of the Trinity, and consequently of the Divinity of Jesus Christ.
Without yet knowing Islam, I was already believing in the first part of the Kalimah - La ilaha illa-Allah (There is no true god except Allah). So, it was first of all for metaphysical reasons that I adhered to Islam.
Other reasons, too, prompted me to do that. For Instance, my refusal to accept catholic priests, who, more or less, claim to possess on behalf of God the power of forgiving the sins of men. Further, I could never admit the Catholic rite of communion, by means of the host (or holy bread), representing the body of Jesus Christ, a rite which seems to me to belong to totemistic practices of primitive peoples, where the body of the ancestral totem, the taboo of the living ones, had to be consumed after his death, in order better to assimilate his personality.
Another point which moved me away from Christianity was the absolute silence which it maintains regarding bodily cleanliness, particularly before prayers, which has always seemed to me to be an outrage against Allah. For if He has given us a soul He has also given us a body, then we have no right to neglect. The same silence could be observed, and this time mixed with hostility with regard to the physiological life of the human being, whereas on this point Islam seemed to me to be the only religion in accord with human nature.
The essential and definite element of my conversion to Islam was the Quran. I began to study it, before my conversion, with the critical spirit of a Western intellectual, and I owe much to the magnificient work of Mr. Malek Bennabi, entitled Le Phenomene Coranique, which convinced me of its being divinely revealed. There are certain Verses of this Book, the Quran, revealed more than fourteen centuries ago, which teach exactly the same notions as the most modern scientific researches do. This definitely converted me to the second part of the Kalimah: 'Muhammad -ur-Rasulullah' (Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah).
This was my reason for presenting myself at the Mosque in Paris, where I declared my faith in Islam and was registered there as a Muslim by the Mufti of the Paris Mosque, and was given the Islamic name of 'Ali Selman Benoist.'
I am very happy in my new faith, and proclaim once again: "I bear witness that there is no true god except Allah; and I bear witness that Muhammad is Allah's slave and Messenger."
Source:http://www.islamweb.net/ver2/archive/article.php?lang=E&id=35680
Without yet knowing Islam, I was already believing in the first part of the Kalimah - La ilaha illa-Allah (There is no true god except Allah). So, it was first of all for metaphysical reasons that I adhered to Islam.
Other reasons, too, prompted me to do that. For Instance, my refusal to accept catholic priests, who, more or less, claim to possess on behalf of God the power of forgiving the sins of men. Further, I could never admit the Catholic rite of communion, by means of the host (or holy bread), representing the body of Jesus Christ, a rite which seems to me to belong to totemistic practices of primitive peoples, where the body of the ancestral totem, the taboo of the living ones, had to be consumed after his death, in order better to assimilate his personality.
Another point which moved me away from Christianity was the absolute silence which it maintains regarding bodily cleanliness, particularly before prayers, which has always seemed to me to be an outrage against Allah. For if He has given us a soul He has also given us a body, then we have no right to neglect. The same silence could be observed, and this time mixed with hostility with regard to the physiological life of the human being, whereas on this point Islam seemed to me to be the only religion in accord with human nature.
The essential and definite element of my conversion to Islam was the Quran. I began to study it, before my conversion, with the critical spirit of a Western intellectual, and I owe much to the magnificient work of Mr. Malek Bennabi, entitled Le Phenomene Coranique, which convinced me of its being divinely revealed. There are certain Verses of this Book, the Quran, revealed more than fourteen centuries ago, which teach exactly the same notions as the most modern scientific researches do. This definitely converted me to the second part of the Kalimah: 'Muhammad -ur-Rasulullah' (Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah).
This was my reason for presenting myself at the Mosque in Paris, where I declared my faith in Islam and was registered there as a Muslim by the Mufti of the Paris Mosque, and was given the Islamic name of 'Ali Selman Benoist.'
I am very happy in my new faith, and proclaim once again: "I bear witness that there is no true god except Allah; and I bear witness that Muhammad is Allah's slave and Messenger."
Source:http://www.islamweb.net/ver2/archive/article.php?lang=E&id=35680
A Different Childhood
By Anisa Kissoon
Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park.
I am a 26-year-old woman from a British -Caribbean background. I was brought up in the UK and currently live there. My journey started at the ripe old age of five. One day I ran away from Sunday school because the teacher was trying to convince me that God was really one but was also three at the same time. I didn’t believe him. I was not old enough to question and debate so I just rebelled and ran away. That was the end of Sunday school for me.
Throughout my early teenage years I visited many churches including the Catholic Church, the Seventh Day Adventist Church, the Mormons, and the Jehovah witnesses. I found that what they all had in common was that they professed monotheism but actually believed in more than one God. I found it strange that grown up people could think so illogically. At that time Islam was not on my mind because I had come to think it was an Asian religion. When I was a young teenager I didn’t know anything about Islam. As West Indians we always looked at Asians as having strange religions—idol worship and so on. So I ended up putting Islam into that category. At that time I felt Islam was not an option for me.
When I was eleven, my brother was learning about Islam. I found out in later years that he had actually embraced the religion but kept it somewhat secret. He always told me not to drink alcohol, date, or take drugs and so on. I listened to him and so was kept away from many dangers. The fact that he instilled these moral values in me was the beginning of a foundation of Islam in my heart. I had already stopped eating pork and in my heart I always believed there was only One God.
I was a person who spoke out and fought for what I believed. I had a positive view of life—taking care of the environment, speaking out against racism, and so on, and this led me to understand Islamic principles and later to recognize them when I read the Qur’an. Then one day my friend told me I should go to Hyde Park where they have a place for people to speak freely on any subject. The Muslims were a common sight there talking to the public about Islam. On that particular day Abdul Raheem Green, from London Central Mosque, was speaking and my heart was touched. He spoke about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in such a beautiful, simple, and attractive way that he had all my attention. I already believed in the other prophets. I knew they never sought the world and he explained that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was like them but the difference was that he was the final prophet in the long chain of prophethood that had begun with Adam, the first man (peace be upon him). Therefore, Muhammad (peace be upon him) concluded the divine message to mankind.
I already had belief in One God and I understood the importance of morality, so learning about the significance of the Qur’an and the role of Muhammad (peace be upon him) sealed my understanding. It was simple and understandable to me. That night I decided that I didn’t want to die in a state of hesitation, so I determined to make the Shahadah. My friend’s brother had become a Muslim at 17 years of age, so I went to her house to see her brother and make Shahadah. In my own little world I did not realize that I had already become a Muslim in my heart so my Shahadah simply confirmed what I already was.
I started attending lessons held by Abdul Raheem Green. I learnt more about the basic beliefs in Islam and the importance of Tawhid and the significance of these beliefs in everyday life. The lessons were very spiritual and motivated us to learn more and do more. From there I started to talk about Islam to my family and in my school. At school I started a prayer room and there we used to have discussions at lunchtime. From this many students were attracted to Islam. A lot of the influence came from the seeds my brother had planted in my heart long ago. The advice he gave us to keep away from harmful immoral actions and behavior held me in good stead until I came to understand Islam more fully. When he was just 12 years old my brother was already praying and reading Qur’an even though no one else in the family was Muslims. He influenced me so much.
The main obstacles I faced were peer pressure from the West Indian community particularly when it came to hijab. Even though I wasn’t wearing a full hijab the male teachers in my school would pressure me and belittle me in an attempt to take it off. Most of the kids at school that turned to Islam through the prayer room and study circle were born Muslims who had lost their identity, as well as some who reverted.
I used to attend a performing arts school but when I accepted Islam I stopped performing in front of men and this was a big sacrifice for me and caused a lot of pressure as teachers tried to coax me to continue because I was good at this. My faith was strong so I trusted in Allah and became determined to follow the rules regardless of what people might say, think, or do.
The thing that attracted me to Islam was that it coincided with my instinctive belief in One God; I always thought it was an insult to put partners with Him.
At one point my family took me to Jamaica to visit my extended family there who were Christians. They built churches and were very active in their community, so when I told them about my conversion to Islam, they told me: their prayers are ritualistic; their clothes are a costume; their women are oppressed, and basically they were determined to put Christ back into my heart. They didn’t understand that Christ was already in my heart but he is loved my me as a prophet and messenger of Allah; not in the way they loved him.
I was 15 years old, but I refused to attend church and I didn’t go swimming with them or attend functions when men and women mixed socially. I was determined to have the right to swim in a women’s area. They thought I was just going through a phase and that I’d change. So far, five members of my family have accepted Islam as a way of life. All Praise and Thanks be to Allah.
Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park.
I am a 26-year-old woman from a British -Caribbean background. I was brought up in the UK and currently live there. My journey started at the ripe old age of five. One day I ran away from Sunday school because the teacher was trying to convince me that God was really one but was also three at the same time. I didn’t believe him. I was not old enough to question and debate so I just rebelled and ran away. That was the end of Sunday school for me.
Throughout my early teenage years I visited many churches including the Catholic Church, the Seventh Day Adventist Church, the Mormons, and the Jehovah witnesses. I found that what they all had in common was that they professed monotheism but actually believed in more than one God. I found it strange that grown up people could think so illogically. At that time Islam was not on my mind because I had come to think it was an Asian religion. When I was a young teenager I didn’t know anything about Islam. As West Indians we always looked at Asians as having strange religions—idol worship and so on. So I ended up putting Islam into that category. At that time I felt Islam was not an option for me.
When I was eleven, my brother was learning about Islam. I found out in later years that he had actually embraced the religion but kept it somewhat secret. He always told me not to drink alcohol, date, or take drugs and so on. I listened to him and so was kept away from many dangers. The fact that he instilled these moral values in me was the beginning of a foundation of Islam in my heart. I had already stopped eating pork and in my heart I always believed there was only One God.
I was a person who spoke out and fought for what I believed. I had a positive view of life—taking care of the environment, speaking out against racism, and so on, and this led me to understand Islamic principles and later to recognize them when I read the Qur’an. Then one day my friend told me I should go to Hyde Park where they have a place for people to speak freely on any subject. The Muslims were a common sight there talking to the public about Islam. On that particular day Abdul Raheem Green, from London Central Mosque, was speaking and my heart was touched. He spoke about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in such a beautiful, simple, and attractive way that he had all my attention. I already believed in the other prophets. I knew they never sought the world and he explained that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was like them but the difference was that he was the final prophet in the long chain of prophethood that had begun with Adam, the first man (peace be upon him). Therefore, Muhammad (peace be upon him) concluded the divine message to mankind.
I already had belief in One God and I understood the importance of morality, so learning about the significance of the Qur’an and the role of Muhammad (peace be upon him) sealed my understanding. It was simple and understandable to me. That night I decided that I didn’t want to die in a state of hesitation, so I determined to make the Shahadah. My friend’s brother had become a Muslim at 17 years of age, so I went to her house to see her brother and make Shahadah. In my own little world I did not realize that I had already become a Muslim in my heart so my Shahadah simply confirmed what I already was.
I started attending lessons held by Abdul Raheem Green. I learnt more about the basic beliefs in Islam and the importance of Tawhid and the significance of these beliefs in everyday life. The lessons were very spiritual and motivated us to learn more and do more. From there I started to talk about Islam to my family and in my school. At school I started a prayer room and there we used to have discussions at lunchtime. From this many students were attracted to Islam. A lot of the influence came from the seeds my brother had planted in my heart long ago. The advice he gave us to keep away from harmful immoral actions and behavior held me in good stead until I came to understand Islam more fully. When he was just 12 years old my brother was already praying and reading Qur’an even though no one else in the family was Muslims. He influenced me so much.
The main obstacles I faced were peer pressure from the West Indian community particularly when it came to hijab. Even though I wasn’t wearing a full hijab the male teachers in my school would pressure me and belittle me in an attempt to take it off. Most of the kids at school that turned to Islam through the prayer room and study circle were born Muslims who had lost their identity, as well as some who reverted.
I used to attend a performing arts school but when I accepted Islam I stopped performing in front of men and this was a big sacrifice for me and caused a lot of pressure as teachers tried to coax me to continue because I was good at this. My faith was strong so I trusted in Allah and became determined to follow the rules regardless of what people might say, think, or do.
The thing that attracted me to Islam was that it coincided with my instinctive belief in One God; I always thought it was an insult to put partners with Him.
At one point my family took me to Jamaica to visit my extended family there who were Christians. They built churches and were very active in their community, so when I told them about my conversion to Islam, they told me: their prayers are ritualistic; their clothes are a costume; their women are oppressed, and basically they were determined to put Christ back into my heart. They didn’t understand that Christ was already in my heart but he is loved my me as a prophet and messenger of Allah; not in the way they loved him.
I was 15 years old, but I refused to attend church and I didn’t go swimming with them or attend functions when men and women mixed socially. I was determined to have the right to swim in a women’s area. They thought I was just going through a phase and that I’d change. So far, five members of my family have accepted Islam as a way of life. All Praise and Thanks be to Allah.
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