Converts To Islam

Jannah

Embracing the Truth

Born and raised by righteous parents who still strongly hold onto their identity through religion, it would seem striking that their sole daughter and oldest would depart from their teachings and embrace Islam. From early childhood, I excelled in academics but struggled through religious studies since I was unable to find any logic behind the structure of the Christian doctrines. It would have been easy to deviate from Christianity and explore other beliefs if it had not been for my familys coercion and of course my young age. Most parents are faced with their children not behaving in their academic courses with other classmates or authority, but I was the child who asked more questions than desired and an over achiever. For a mathematic teacher, an inquisitive student is delightful, but in the realm of religion, especially Catholicism, such deviations from the norm were considered blasphemy. So at the tender age of ten my brother and I took conformation, and then again at eighteen, I accepted the final conformation vows as a Catholic. Why? A question I so often asked myself. Was it to make my parents happy or was it a result of my acceptance and submission to God through the authority of the Catholic Church? So for my parents, I continued to follow what they believed contrary to my own beliefs. This meant that I would have to search for the answers to my questions elsewhere.

Freedom was bestowed upon me as I gathered my belongings

and moved to the University dormitory. Of course, this happened to be in the same city where my traditional Puerto Rican family lived but it was enough space to explore and confirm my beliefs. I became fixated with courses in the social sciences but my familys powerful influence overwhelmed me to the point that my degree would be in science, as they preferred. I needed a nourishing environment, a location where enlightened people would surround me.

Convincing my parents that studying abroad in England would help expand my technique and knowledge of the chemical sciences, I left for six months overseas. To the best of their knowledge at the time, this was an opportunity for me to experience what they felt they were deprived. Today, they think this was their error as parents.

While studying in England, I became acquainted and later best of friends with Muslim girls from Brunei in my dormitory. I had read about other religions and countries but never had the pleasure of actually knowing such people. Unexpectedly, I decided to travel and explore Europe during the University spring break, 4 weeks to be precise, while my friends went to visit their families. During this period, I had the opportunity of visiting my first non-Christian environment in Morocco. I stayed in small towns away from tourists and immersed myself into the Moroccan culture. In addition, I saw the vast number of Muslims in Amsterdam and Germany. This led me to deeply question my Muslim friends about their clothing attire, religious differences, food preparation and most of all their own personal beliefs about being a Muslim.

Curiosity now consumed me. My priority was to examine Christianity and prove that my religious beliefs were not irrational even if it meant being considered a heretic by my family and in the eyes of the Catholic Church. I explored the historical roots of the trinity and the bible only to validate my

theory that the Christian bible was written to appease the hierarchy of the church and politically strengthen their position of authority. As A. Osman states from his book Out of Egypt: The Roots of Christianity Revealed,

The Roman fathers of the early Church, combating what they regarded as heresy, began to place this theology in a historical setting, providing locations and dates for the life of Jesus. These doctrines were enforced by the authorities from the second half of the 4^th century AD, when Rome adopted Christianity, causing it to spread throughout the world. It was when Rome, then the center of civilization, adopted Christianity that old books were burned to destroy the memory of the past, and history was rewritten to confirm new interpretations of past events.

Arriving in the USA, I was prepared to use my knowledge acquired from my studies and experiences to openly discuss the problems with Christianity and this new religion I had encountered, Islam. I had not yet considered converting, since conversion had never been an idea I thought plausible with my family. It was Allahs mercy that my mom who had been separated from my father now for three years allowed my father to divorce her and break away from Catholicism. She joined a Pentecost congregation and openly discussed the problems with being a Catholic rather than the concept of being Christian. I felt abandoned, empty and confused. I believed in one God but what were the correct ways to worship, submit and follow. How could I be righteous when I was blind to the correct path of Allah.

I continued course work in religious studies. I became aware of the diversity of religions and their sects of the Caribbean, Middle East and Asia. It was when I touched on Islam that my heart and mind were satisfied. It finally all made sense. Islam was inspiring and rational. For the first time, I felt content.

My decision to convert now came without hesitation and with strength to be steadfast since I had embarked on a lifetime journey and battle with non-believers. That meant accepting that my worst enemy would not be my neighbor or friend but my own family.

My first two years were the hardest. I faced my family only to engage in a debate over religion that would develop into a harsh argument about my ungratefulness and misuse of an education. I began to cover my hair August 4^th, 2002 a month prior to the 9-11 attacks. It was this adversity as well as the constant struggle with my family that I found my self truly and entirely submitting to Allah. Today, my family accepts my beliefs and accommodates our differences. I remind them, we dont see through our soul or spirit, but the mind that is between the two. With time and guidance from Allah, they too will embrace Islam.

Holy Quran 18:13***
We relate to you their story with the truth; surely they were youths who believed in their Lord and We increased them in guidance.***