The Mahatma’s Progeny
Farzana Versey April 4, 2002
#1 Posted by sadna on April 4, 2002 12:27:20 pm
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If any person is being remembered, rediscovered and quoted in these testing times, its Gandhiji and his value for nonviolence and for amity among religions. I believe thats the paradigm Vajpayee must invoke at this time, and he can be sure it will resonate throughout India among ordinary Indians.
If any person is being remembered, rediscovered and quoted in these testing times, its Gandhiji and his value for nonviolence and for amity among religions. I believe thats the paradigm Vajpayee must invoke at this time, and he can be sure it will resonate throughout India among ordinary Indians.
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#2 Posted by soysauce on April 4, 2002 1:22:48 pm
Gandhiji was a devotee of Ram. So are we, claim the khaki shorts. Ergo, Gandhiji was a fake.
He resisted the partition of india but partition happened. Ergo, he was a failure and a fake. He was for swadeshi and now we are ``choking in`` globalization. Ergo, he couldn`t even see his own nose, leave alone being a visionary, and on and on. This diatribe reads like it was written in anger, as if Gandhiji being gujarati is posthumously and solely responsible for the murder and mayhem there. Gandhiji tried changing the hindu society from within. You have to give him credit for that. The khaki-shorts goons may say anything about Gandhiji but they cannot deny that he was a hindu; they cannot be derisive and dismissive of him as they are of Nehru and other secular politicians. Gandhiji declared hinduism nonviolent and to the extent there is at least one soul out there who believes it and acts accordingly, this is something positive not negative.
I`d urge you to read Gandhiji`s essays that are unsparingly critical of the hindu society. I don`t think he ever felt he had to glorify hindus. He thought, as all saints do, that the religion was something great and that its adherents should aspire to live up to it.
He resisted the partition of india but partition happened. Ergo, he was a failure and a fake. He was for swadeshi and now we are ``choking in`` globalization. Ergo, he couldn`t even see his own nose, leave alone being a visionary, and on and on. This diatribe reads like it was written in anger, as if Gandhiji being gujarati is posthumously and solely responsible for the murder and mayhem there. Gandhiji tried changing the hindu society from within. You have to give him credit for that. The khaki-shorts goons may say anything about Gandhiji but they cannot deny that he was a hindu; they cannot be derisive and dismissive of him as they are of Nehru and other secular politicians. Gandhiji declared hinduism nonviolent and to the extent there is at least one soul out there who believes it and acts accordingly, this is something positive not negative.
I`d urge you to read Gandhiji`s essays that are unsparingly critical of the hindu society. I don`t think he ever felt he had to glorify hindus. He thought, as all saints do, that the religion was something great and that its adherents should aspire to live up to it.
#3 Posted by pmishra2 on April 4, 2002 1:22:48 pm
The people who killed Gandhi are now his progeny??
I hear your sorrow and anger (both completely understandable) but I don`t get the Gandhi connection to Hindutva. Gandhi is the person most hated by the RSS and the VHP.
Is it the use of the phrase ``Ram`` by Gandhi and the VHP thugs? If so, please desist. Many horrific crimes have been committed by people who claimed they were acting in the name of religion. No group is free of this blight.
I hear your sorrow and anger (both completely understandable) but I don`t get the Gandhi connection to Hindutva. Gandhi is the person most hated by the RSS and the VHP.
Is it the use of the phrase ``Ram`` by Gandhi and the VHP thugs? If so, please desist. Many horrific crimes have been committed by people who claimed they were acting in the name of religion. No group is free of this blight.
#4 Posted by musalmaan on April 4, 2002 2:56:40 pm
Converts
There is no compulsion in religion.
The right direction is henceforth distinct from error.
And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah
hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break.
Allah is Hearer, Knower
[Qur`an 2:256]
Why are so many people embracing Islam ? Join our discussion forums and share your views ! You can find many converts there, as well as people who are learning more about Islam. If you are a convert to Islam, we would really love to hear your story and publish in on this page, insha`Allah. Please email your story to submission@thetruereligion.org and we will put it up as soon as possible. Remember to include where you are from, the belief system you adhered to before embracing Islam (if any), and how you came to Islam. Try to be as detailed as possible !
Below a collection of converts` stories which are enlightening, heart-warming and inspiring in equal measure. These new Muslims come from a variety of backgrounds. They include intellectuals, scientists, priests, and artists, young and old, from around the globe. Most of these converts are former Christians or from a Christian background. These testimonies only represent a drop in the ocean however, since every day hundreds of people convert to Islam all around the world. Amongst the most powerful and thought-provoking testimonies are those of former Christian priests and missionaries who have discovered the one true religion.
`Revert` is actually a more appropriate term than `convert`, since all human beings are born pure. By embracing Islam, one returns to the original and sinless state in which God created him or her. However we have used the term convert to avoid any possible ambiguity.
Testimonies of Women who have Embraced Islam
Testimonies of Men who have Embraced Islam
Former Christian Priests and Missionaries who have Embraced Islam - A powerful and thought-provoking compilation of testimonies !
In the News
Becoming a Muslim
Sisters
Name Home Prior Belief Notes/Quotes
Akifah Baxter Florida, USA Christian background ``I felt like all along I had been a Muslim``. In our Discussion forums
Amal USA Roman Catholic ``The trinity was a lingering concern for me..``
American Sister USA Catholic ``I am a 17 year old Caucasian American girl ..``
Amina Canada Christian ``When Islam is practiced accordingly, it is a beautiful sight``
Amina Mosler Germany Christian ``God guides whom He pleases to the right path``
Aminah Assilmi USA Christian ``I couldn`t be a Muslim! I was American and white!``
Amirah Arkansas, USA Baptist ``..the words ``terrorist lover`` spray painted..``. Her homepage
Amy Lea Reinking USA Christian Her website is aimed at women
Anja Germany Christian background A complete book on her journey to Islam. Also in Deutsch
Anonymous ? Catholic ``Muslims are not people to be feared``
Asiya Abd Al Zahir Australia Christian ``..the only religion I have ever been completely sure of..``
Bushra Finch ? Christian ``.. I found unacceptable, particularly the idea of the Trinity``
C. Huda Dodge USA Catholic/Presbyterian ``..I am truly happy and at peace..``
Carol ? Christian background ``I felt that my soul had been set free!``
Celine Ludic ? Catholic ``..I now wear Hijab and I am very happy..``
Chahida Zanabi Norway Christian ``..i found [a belief that Jesus died] illogical and unjust``. Homepage
Cheryl ? Catholic ``..I had to asked Allah for forgiveness, there is no middle man..``
Dani USA Catholic/Buddhist/Pent. ``..I just knew that there is only ONE GOD``
Deanne Australia Christian background ``Muslim girls that were somehow more liberated than I felt``
Elizabeth ? Catholic ``Islam was the missing piece in my life``
Erin/Sumaya ? Christian ``I was amazed at the scientific knowledge in the Qur`an``
Evangeline Do Canada Protestant (see note) United Church of Canada. See the Vietnamese Muslims` Homepage
eye ? Jehovah`s Witness ``And everyday I thank Allah for letting me find Islam``
Lady Evelyn UK ? ``Islam is the religion of common sense``
Fathima South Africa Pentecostal ``I turned to Allah and finally I found peace and tranquillity``
Fathima Ranshiz Philippines Christian ``[Listening to] recitation of .. Quran I used to enjoy a kind of solace``
Fatima Kazue Japan ?
Former Missionary Africa Roman Catholic This sister was formerly a missionary ! A revealing testimony !
Gabriela Pruneda Texas, USA Catholic ``I never thought I would myself become a Muslim some day``
Hanifa Ireland Catholic
Helena Sweden Protestant ``I was fed all the propaganda through mass media..``
Hudda Droll USA ? ``I cried and I cried, thanking God for this precious gift..``
Iman ? Lutheran ``It didn`t take long for me to convert..``
Indrani Singapore Hindu Indrana and her husband share their touching story
Jade Canada Catholic ``I began to realize the many contradictions of the Catholic religion``
Jamilah ? Seventh Day Adventist ``I had .. intentions of converting Muslims and I became converted``
Jemima Goldsmith UK Jewish background Daughter of billionaire Sir James Goldsmith
Jenni Rauhala Finland Christian Her website about Islam, in Finnish
Jewellee USA ? ``..the best thing I ever did in my life and I never looked back``
Joanne Richards CA, USA Catholic background ``..embracing Islam has been the single greatest gift ever..``
K.H. Abdullateef USA ? ``What kind of book was this?``
Kareema Michigan, USA Christian ``Why would God create himself in human form and die?``
Karen Flamiano USA Catholic ``If Jesus is God, then why did he have a conversation with God``
Dr. Kari Ann Owen USA ? ``I began to look .. to Islamic culture for moral guidance``
Karima ? Secular Humanist ``..I have found the door to spiritual and intellectual freedom``
Karimah ? Southern Baptist ``..one never actually heard the whole Bible - only select verses``
Kathy Canada Atheist ``I was once a happy `speculative atheist```
Khadija Ireland Catholic background ``I felt really sure that there is no God but Allah``
Khadija ? ? ``..God Almighty in His Infinite Mercy answered my prayers``
Khadija Philippines Catholic ``Teresita converted to Islam? What got into her?``
Khadijah ? Catholic ``I am a better person today and I have faith in my Allah``
Khadijah Watson Now S. Arabia Christian Former pastor, missionary, professor. Master`s Degree in Divinity
Lara Canada None ``I find Islam ever-more fascinating, and I enjoy living as a Muslima``
Laure France Buddhist background ``I was afraid to be seriously wounded``
Leila Raffin Paris, France Catholic background ``Islam has a very bad image in non-muslim countries..``
Lori Ohio, USA Christian ``If Jesus was God than how could Jesus (God) die on the cross?``
Lyla CA, USA Quaker background ``I felt so peaceful and happy``
Madonna Johnson ? Christian background ``..all of my turmoil and anxiety was gone..``
Mahasin ? Jehovah`s Witness ``..we would knock on doors on Satuarday mornings..``
Mahmuda Australia Catholic ``..I had always been a Muslim without being aware of it``
Malaak VA, USA Christian/None ``I knew that the things in the Qur`an had to be from Allah``
Mary Abdalla MA, USA Catholic ``I was determined to find something wrong with Islam``. Homepage
Maryam Egypt/USA Catholic/Buddhism ``There is no more conflict within, because I have come home``
Maryam bint Noel Australia/UK Baha`i Faith ``I began to find Baha`i theology to be not quite honest``. E-Mail her !
Maryam Jameelah USA/Pakistan Jew Formerly Margaret Marcus. Well known writer. Letter to her parents
Mas`udah UK ? ``No .. religion .. have I found so comprehensible and encouraging``
Mavis B. Jolly UK Church of England ``..influenced by the usual condemnation .. I picked on polygamy``
Melanie Texas, USA Christian ``..my heart screamed that this is the missing piece to the puzzle!``
Michelle USA Catholic (Jewish origin) ``I wish all mankind could come to know the truth (haqq) of Islam``
Michelle Al-Nasr ? ? ``..Islam, is my way of life, my love, my peacefulness, and my hope``
Monica Ecuador/USA Catholic ``Islam, in contrast to Catholicism, seemed very pure``
Muslim Sister USA Christian ``You`re American? Oh, your husband must be from the Middle East``
Nadia USA Christian
Natassia M. Kelly USA Christian
Noor UK Hindu Insights into Women in Islam vs. Women in Hinduism
Nourallah ? ? ``..i found my happiness in islam..``
Nur Habiba ? Christian ``I am now 15 and wearing hijab and niqaab, subahaanallah``
Phreddie USA Christian ``I studied Islam quietly, on my own, in secret, for two years``
Qadirah ? ? ``I stated that all muslims were like the NOI..``
Rehana USA Southern Baptist ``I found the hijab very liberating``
Rosalina Philippines ? ``I am now on the right path of life``
Rukaiya Japan None ``[Islam] was simple and logical .. never against human conscience``
Ruqayyah USA Christian ``.. Islam doesn`t teach that Jesus (pbuh) was crucified``
Ruqqayah ? Baptist/Catholic ``how can three be one and the same?? ``
S.S. Lai Brunei/UK See note Chinese idolatry/ancestor worship
Sabrina C Sri Lanka Catholic background
Sabyrah Altagh USA Christian background
Safiyah Johnson WI, USA Christian ``After 48 hours I knew .. that I had found what I had searched for``
Sandra USA Christian
Sara ? Christian background ``reading [truth about Jesus] was like having a light bulb turned on``
Shakira Graham CA, USA Christian Reformed ``..I thought Islam was oppressive to women and .. terrorists``
Shannon ? Christian ``.. viewing Jesus as a Prophet .. makes a lot more sense``
Shariffa Carlo USA Christian Some articles by this sister, on various aspects of Islam
Sharon Canaan Texas, USA Christian ``WHY DO I HAVE TO GO THROUGH JESUS?``
Shellie Perreault Michigan, USA Christian ``I tried .. to find a valid argument for Christianity but I couldn`t..``
Sigrún Valsdóttir Iceland Evangelical Lutheran Her homepage about Islam
Sophie Jenkins UK Catholic/Protestant ``I was so angry, every time I saw a Muslim woman in the street...``
Sumaiya (Kristin) USA Catholic background ``Accepting Islam was like an awakening of my spirit, my mind..``
Summaya Canada ? ``[Islam] is widely assumed to be prejudicial to [women]``
Susannah USA S Baptist background
Themise Cruz USA Christian ``They think that we are fundamentalists or terrorists``
Tena Canada Anglican ``My husband read the Qu`ran and then shortly after converted``
Tina Illinois, USA Protestant ``I thank Allah(swt) every day for guiding me..``
Um Kalthum ? ? ``I now wear my hijab everywhere and no one makes me feel bad``
Um Luqman USA Roman Catholic ``Jesus(AS) made sense to me as being a Prophet``
Valerie N. Fields NC, USA Christian ``I had problems accepting .. ``The Trinity``, it just didn’t make sense``
Vera Ferrell GA, USA ? ``My husband should be the only man to gaze upon my body..``
Yoko Japan ? ``My mother wept and asked me to reconsider``
Z. Amatullah PA, USA Baptist
Zaakira ? Christian ``I can`t explain how good I feel on the inside as well as the outside``
Zahirah ? Catholic 3 of her siblings also embraced Islam !
Zahra Cox ? Christian ``I feel so fortunate and blessed to have been guided ``
Zahida USA Christian ``Allah (S.W.T.) guided me to the path of righteousness``
Zainab USA Christian ``No a guy did not convert me``. An ex-Sunday School teacher
Zakiyyah Australia ? ``..that one experience of salat [prayer] had a profound effect``
Zehra ? Christian ``Allah had made the perfect religion, and I`d found it``
Brothers
Name Home Prior Belief Notes/Quotes
A. Greene UK Roman Catholic Abdur Raheem Greene, the well known caller to Islam. Video here
A. LeBlanc ? Christian ``..the Bible led me to Islam``. Important reading for truth seekers
A. Paguta Philippines Christian Later moved to Saudi Arabia
A. Tagamolila Philippines Catholic ``As a Roman Catholic, I had been very religious since childhood``
A. Thomas USA Christian background CEO, The Islamic Investment Banking Unit, United Bank of Kuwait
Aaron Greenwich USA Christian ``I started this letter as a Christian but I end it as a Muslim``
Aaron Sellers USA Baptist ``The impact of [4:157] was to dramatically change my life``
Abd al-Hayy USA Zen Buddhist Published poet and writer under the name Daniel Moore
Abdul Aziz VA, USA Baptist ``I began to ask Allah to show me the straight path``
Sir Abdullah UK Christian Statesman and Baronet
Abdullah B. UK ?
Abdullah Reda ? Catholic ``I finally found the answer to the .. question of the meaning of life``
Abdullah Uemura Japan ?
Abdul-Haqq Brunei/UK Protestant/Anglican Formerly known as D.T.F. Wong
Abdullah al-Faruq USA Pentecostal Former Minister and Elder of the Pentecostal Church !
Abdul Lateef USA Protestant background
Abdul-Rashid CA, USA Catholic Muslim Military Members
AbdusSalam Sipes CA, USA Christian A former member of the KKK (Ku Klux Klan). His homepage
Abd-ul-Waahid UK Christian Abd-ul-Waahid `Bruce` Paterson
Abu Cuyler Chicago, USA Agnostic ``Islam taught me how to live, and how to pray``
Abu Kadr CA, USA Christian Former Death Row inmate, now Imam of a mosque
Adam Knoerzer USA Catholic ``I read it [the Qur`an], and I was .. convinced that it was the truth``
Adam Wilson Michigan, USA Christian/Agnostic ``IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN READ THIS``
Ahmad Michigan, USA Christian background ``It seems like I have always been a Muslim``
Ahmed Corpus Philippines Born-again Christian Former Sunday School teacher & full-time ministry worker
Ali A. USA Catholic ``How can we be monotheists yet believe in trinity?``
Dr. Ali Benoist France ? Catholic family background
Ali Campbell USA Protestant An American scientist
Ali Mori Japan ? Ali Muhammad Mori
Ali Omair USA Roman Catholic ``I have found the Straight Path and Insha’Allah I will never leave it``
Andrew W. Smith Midwest USA Baptist background ``..trinity - it just did not make sense to me``
Anselm Tormeeda Majorca Christian Testimony of a 14th century CE scholar and priest !
Antoine L. Mason USA Christian/NOI Guided to true Islam, after a spell with Farrakhan`s racist cult
Austin ? Christian ``Islam abolishes racism, and promotes peace, and equality``
Dr. B. Abdul Alim ? ? ``I had .. studied comparative religion .. but refused to accept Islam``
Bogdan Kopankski Poland/USA Christian Ph.D. History & Politics. Imprisoned twice by Polish Communists
Brad L. Johnson USA Christian His homepage
Bruce Do Canada Protestant (see note) United Church of Canada. See the Vietnamese Muslims` Homepage
Chadi Lebanon Christian background ``..i felt the truth, the majesty behind each word..``
Chandara Singapore Hindu Chandara and his wife share their touching story
Christopher USA Christian ``I got tired of the unintelligible doctrines and the .. contradictions``
Christopher Bohar PA, USA Satanist/Christian Undertook a serious study of Islam after 9/11
D. M. Monreal Philippines Catholic
Col. D.S. Rockwell USA ? Colonel Donald S. Rockwell. Poet, critic, author
David Praderelli ? Catholic ``No .. religion including Catholicism impacted me in such a .. way``
Davis UK Anglican/Catholic
Devis Warrington Austria Christian background
Donald W. Flood USA Christian background `The Best Way to Live and Die` - A must read for truth seekers
E. Ahmed Tori USA Catholic ``Actually, I love Jesus, because I follow Muhammad``
E. D. Llarenas Philippines Catholic
Emad-ud-Deen KT, USA Jew The homepage of Emad-ud-Deen Richard Leiman
Everlast USA Catholic Everlast, aka Eric Schrody
F. Overing Holland ?
Faruq Abdullah Indiana, USA Catholic ``I knew that I had found the truth I had struggled to embrace``
Faruq. B. Karai Zanzibar ?
G. B. Delomas Philippines Catholic
Dr. Gary Miller USA Christian Former missionary. Author of many good articles on Islam
George Anthony Kuwait Catholic A former Catholic priest !
Dr. Germanus Hungary ? Dr. Abdul-Karim Germanus, Professor of Oriental Studies
Greg Noakes USA Protestant background ``The Qur`an has been preserved in its original form``
Gregor Shepherd ? None ``Religion was the last topic I could tolerate``
H. F. Fellow UK Christian background
Dr. Hamid Marcus Germany ? Scientist, author, journalist
Harun USA Christian ``I have seen the beauty of people, living as muslims``
Hasan al-Amriki USA Southern Baptist A Native American Indian brother`s journey to the truth
Haroon al-Qahtani USA ?
Prof. Haroon Leon UK ? Etymologist, geologist and author
Hazer ? ? ``I find that the Bible just does`nt make sense``
Lord Headley UK Catholic Cambridge-educated Peer, statesman, and author
Husain Rofe UK Anglican
Hydadura Mendes Sri Lanka Christian
I. W. Zejilersky Poland Catholic
Ibrahim Karlsson Sweden Atheist ``I had no need of any god``
Ibrahim Khalil Egypt Coptic Formerly Ibrahim Khalil Philobus, an Egyptian Coptic priest !
Ibrahim Voo Malaysia Catholic
Ihsan C. Gim Sam Singapore Taoist/Christian ``..the concept of Trinity was introduced in 325 A.D..``
Dr. Ismail Balogun Nigeria Ahmadi/Qadiani An Ahmadi leader renounces Ahmadiyya. A must read !
Ismail Godwin CA, USA ? ``I was taught to believe that Muslims were obviously mad men``
J.W. Lovegrove UK ?
Sir Jalaluddin UK Church of England Oxford-educated statesman and Baronet
Dr. Jeffrey Lang Kansas, USA Catholic/Atheist Associate Professor of Mathematics at the University of Kansas
Dr. Jerald F. Dirks USA Methodist Former minister of the United Methodist Church. M.Div (Harvard)
Jihad Mujahid USA Christian Embraced Islam whilst serving a prison term
Jim Beaven USA Christian ``..I would do my duty by converting Muslims to the Christian faith``
John Birch Texas, USA Methodist ``I went on a 20-year-long search for the truth``.
Joakim Sweden ? ``I heard a cassette for Yusuf Islam how he became muslim``
Juan Alavardo ? Catholic ``I have found what the truth is``
Lee Cooper UK ? ``I had a book (The Qur`an) which is backed by scientific fact``
M. Selliah Sri Lanka Catholic
M. A. Hobohm Germany ? Muhammad Aman Hobohm. Diplomat, missionary, social worker
M. A. R. Webb USA Presbyterian American diplomat, author, journalist. 1846-1916 CE
M. J. Webster UK Protestant Muhammad John Webster. President, The English Muslim Mission
M. S. Takeuchi Japan ?
Malcolm X USA Christian/NOI From the falsehood of the Nation of Islam, to true Islam
Malik Canada ? ``I finally know what it feels like to be humble``
Martin Mwaipopo Tanzania Lutheran Ex-Archbishop ! His wife (former Catholic nun) also converted !
Michael Wolfe USA Christian/Jewish Writer and traveller
Michael Yip New Zealand Christian
Mike LoPrete USA Christian 19 year old college student. ``I didn`t get the idea of the trinity``
Milan Sulc Czech Athiest ``I came .. across some scientific facts which took my breath away``
Miland Limaye ? Christian ``the Bible has been corrupted by the .. church that was to protect it``
Mohammed Iqbal ? Sikh background We`re interested in collecting more stories from ex-Sikhs. Email us !
Muhammad Asad Austria Jew Statesman, journalist, author. A translator of the Qur`an
Muhammad Yahya UK None ``I never thought of God or religion, except to satirize them..``
Mohammed India Hindu A former leader of the group that demolished Babri Mosque
Murad Hoffman Germany ? Ph.D(Law) Harvard. Social scientist and diplomat
Mustaqiim Sahir ? Christian ``..if Jesus was God how could he die?``
Najm Uddin UK Christian ``..questions I had carried for years were being answered``
Nuh Breechen ? ? ``When I [read the Quran], the dam broke``
Omar CA, USA ? ``..it hits me like a ``bolt of lightning`` READ THE QUR`AN!``
R. O. Pasion Philippines Catholic
Raphael LA, USA Jehovah`s Witness A former Jehovah`s Witness minister !
Dr. R.L. Mellema Hungary ? Anthropologist, writer, scholar
Rendra ? Catholic ``everything that has a ``muslim taste`` in it was .. inappropriate``
Rob Wicks USA Baptist ``a reasoned faith which was very prayerful..``
Robin Padilla Philippines ? A famous film actor in the Philippines
Russ Crawley USA Pentecostal ``I am coming to see that Muhammmed is a real prohet ``
Salahuddin Boart USA Christian
Samir India (Note) Christian Later moved to Saudi Arabia
Samir ? Agnostic ``My conversion to Islam has been intellectual and emotional``
Shawn Smith Canada Christian Heads Answering Christianity. At one time trained to be a minister !
T.H. McBarklie Ireland Protestant
Tai Fu Taiwan/USA Buddhist ``I wasn`t interested .. I thought muslims were barbaric``
Tavis Adibudeen USA Christian ``It is the light at the end of the tunnel``
Thomas Clayton USA Christian background
Thomas Irving Canada Christian ``At last I was able to accept Muhammad as an apostle of God``
Ulf Karlsson Sweden Atheist ``I had no belief in god, and all this religious stuff seemed strange``
Umar Crescenzi USA Catholic ``..teachers tried to explain the trinity to me .. but it made no sense``
Dr. Umar Ehrenfels Austria ? A Professor of Anthropology
Umar Mita Japan ? Economist, social worker, preacher
Unknown ? Baha`i Faith A Journey to Islam - 2 emails and a newsgroup article
Unknown CA, USA None ``Well, looks like another Muslim has come out of my classes.``
Viacheslav Polosin Russia Orthodox Christian Former Archpriest of the Russian Orthodox Church !
Vincent Montagne France None Scholar and writer
W. B. B. Pickard UK Christian Author, poet, novelist
Yahiye Gadahn USA Christian ``As I began reading .. the Qur`an, I became more .. convinced ..``
Yusuf Ali Bernier Canada Catholic ``It alleviated my confusion and turned it into clarity``
Yusuf Ansari Scotland ? Brother Yusuf is currently serving a life sentence in prison
Yusuf Estes USA Christian A Federal Prison Chaplain. His website is aimed at non-Muslims
Yusuf Islam UK Christian Famous ex-musician, formerly Cat Stevens. A must read !
In the News
The new face of Islam by Nick Compton, thisislondon.com. ``All I had ever heard about Islam in the media was Hezbollah and guerrillas and all of that. And here were these really decent people whom I was beginning to get to know. So I started to ask a few questions and I was amazed at my own ignorance`` - Roger, a British Physician
Mum, I`ve decided I want to follow Allah - Western women are turning to Islam in rapidly increasing numbers. Kay Jardine of The Herald discovers why they are so keen to become Muslims
Muslims celebrate feast of Eid by Harvey Shepherd, Montreal Gazette. Focuses on the Eid celebrations of recent converts to Islam in Montreal, Quebec (Canada)
Americans in Mecca say Sept 11 Deepened Faith
Muslim faithful are fighting myths that grew out of 9/11 by Andrea Robinson, The Miami Herald
Islam`s Female Converts by Priya Malhotra, Newsday.com. ``Islam represents the beautiful, traditional, grounded and authentic.`` - Marcia Hermansen, Professor of Islamic Studies at Loyola University, Chicago, USA
Concordia students tell of their conversion to Islam
Islam gains Hispanic adherents in Hudson
New Muslims by Marina Jiménez, National Post. Reports on the increasing propensity of Americans to embrace Islam. ``I really felt that this religion was the truth and what I`d been looking for my whole life. I used to feel something was wrong with me because I couldn`t grasp the concept of God. Now I finally had peace of heart`` - Tiffany Motschenbacher
``Allah Came Knocking At My Heart`` by Giles Whittell, The Times. Reports a surge in conversions to Islam since September 11, especially among highly educated, affluent, young white Britons
A Wave of Conversion to Islam in the U.S. Following September 11 - Islam has come under intense scrutiny in the U.S., and as a result, Americans are converting to Islam in greater numbers than ever before
Islam Attracts Converts by the Thousands, Drawn Before and After Attacks - A must-read story by Jodi Wilgoren, The New York Times
More in Hawai`i turn to Islam
Rome`s Envoy to Saudi Arabia Converts to Islam
From Christianity to Islam: A Journey of Faith by Tara Dooley, Chicago Tribune
A Woman on a Mission - Article from The Guardian (London) about a Scottish convert
Why British Women are turning to Islam - Article from The Times (London)
It was if if `The Scales had been lifted from my Eyes`
From a Bathing Suit to Hijab by Christine Hauser, Islamic Voice
Iman finds Islam by Mrs. N. Hashim, Islamic Voice
Former US Model Overwhelmed by Muslim Pilgrimage
Muslim Women in Japan - Japan Times - Also see A Japanese Woman`s Experience of Hijab by Nakata Khaula and My Transformation to Islam by Fitra, a recent convert from Osaka, Japan
Small wave of Latinos feel draw of Islam - Christian Science Monitor
Converts in Kuwait - From Skirts to Abayas by Sarah McBride, Kuwait Times
A World Where Womanhood Reigns Supreme (The Seeds of My Own Re-evaluations) by Mary Walker for the BBC
To the Sanctity of Makkah by Fozail Aqdas Ghazali, Saudi Gazette - How Rudolph Lewis, a former United States Air Force man, discovered Islam whilst working in Saudi Arabia
Becoming a Muslim
How to become a Muslim
Why Should You be a Muslim ? - A RealAudio lecture by Dawood Adib (USA), a convert to Islam from Christianity
Part 1 - To download, right-click here then select Save Target As
Part 2 - To download, right-click here then select Save Target As
I want to embrace Islam, but ..
Maryam Jameelah`s Open Letter to Her Parents. The well-known convert from Judaism writes a letter to her mother and father, inviting them to embrace the one true religion. Her own conversion testimony can be found here
Have questions or concerns about converting to Islam ? Need help ? Send an email to questions@thetruereligion.org
There is no compulsion in religion.
The right direction is henceforth distinct from error.
And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah
hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break.
Allah is Hearer, Knower
[Qur`an 2:256]
Why are so many people embracing Islam ? Join our discussion forums and share your views ! You can find many converts there, as well as people who are learning more about Islam. If you are a convert to Islam, we would really love to hear your story and publish in on this page, insha`Allah. Please email your story to submission@thetruereligion.org and we will put it up as soon as possible. Remember to include where you are from, the belief system you adhered to before embracing Islam (if any), and how you came to Islam. Try to be as detailed as possible !
Below a collection of converts` stories which are enlightening, heart-warming and inspiring in equal measure. These new Muslims come from a variety of backgrounds. They include intellectuals, scientists, priests, and artists, young and old, from around the globe. Most of these converts are former Christians or from a Christian background. These testimonies only represent a drop in the ocean however, since every day hundreds of people convert to Islam all around the world. Amongst the most powerful and thought-provoking testimonies are those of former Christian priests and missionaries who have discovered the one true religion.
`Revert` is actually a more appropriate term than `convert`, since all human beings are born pure. By embracing Islam, one returns to the original and sinless state in which God created him or her. However we have used the term convert to avoid any possible ambiguity.
Testimonies of Women who have Embraced Islam
Testimonies of Men who have Embraced Islam
Former Christian Priests and Missionaries who have Embraced Islam - A powerful and thought-provoking compilation of testimonies !
In the News
Becoming a Muslim
Sisters
Name Home Prior Belief Notes/Quotes
Akifah Baxter Florida, USA Christian background ``I felt like all along I had been a Muslim``. In our Discussion forums
Amal USA Roman Catholic ``The trinity was a lingering concern for me..``
American Sister USA Catholic ``I am a 17 year old Caucasian American girl ..``
Amina Canada Christian ``When Islam is practiced accordingly, it is a beautiful sight``
Amina Mosler Germany Christian ``God guides whom He pleases to the right path``
Aminah Assilmi USA Christian ``I couldn`t be a Muslim! I was American and white!``
Amirah Arkansas, USA Baptist ``..the words ``terrorist lover`` spray painted..``. Her homepage
Amy Lea Reinking USA Christian Her website is aimed at women
Anja Germany Christian background A complete book on her journey to Islam. Also in Deutsch
Anonymous ? Catholic ``Muslims are not people to be feared``
Asiya Abd Al Zahir Australia Christian ``..the only religion I have ever been completely sure of..``
Bushra Finch ? Christian ``.. I found unacceptable, particularly the idea of the Trinity``
C. Huda Dodge USA Catholic/Presbyterian ``..I am truly happy and at peace..``
Carol ? Christian background ``I felt that my soul had been set free!``
Celine Ludic ? Catholic ``..I now wear Hijab and I am very happy..``
Chahida Zanabi Norway Christian ``..i found [a belief that Jesus died] illogical and unjust``. Homepage
Cheryl ? Catholic ``..I had to asked Allah for forgiveness, there is no middle man..``
Dani USA Catholic/Buddhist/Pent. ``..I just knew that there is only ONE GOD``
Deanne Australia Christian background ``Muslim girls that were somehow more liberated than I felt``
Elizabeth ? Catholic ``Islam was the missing piece in my life``
Erin/Sumaya ? Christian ``I was amazed at the scientific knowledge in the Qur`an``
Evangeline Do Canada Protestant (see note) United Church of Canada. See the Vietnamese Muslims` Homepage
eye ? Jehovah`s Witness ``And everyday I thank Allah for letting me find Islam``
Lady Evelyn UK ? ``Islam is the religion of common sense``
Fathima South Africa Pentecostal ``I turned to Allah and finally I found peace and tranquillity``
Fathima Ranshiz Philippines Christian ``[Listening to] recitation of .. Quran I used to enjoy a kind of solace``
Fatima Kazue Japan ?
Former Missionary Africa Roman Catholic This sister was formerly a missionary ! A revealing testimony !
Gabriela Pruneda Texas, USA Catholic ``I never thought I would myself become a Muslim some day``
Hanifa Ireland Catholic
Helena Sweden Protestant ``I was fed all the propaganda through mass media..``
Hudda Droll USA ? ``I cried and I cried, thanking God for this precious gift..``
Iman ? Lutheran ``It didn`t take long for me to convert..``
Indrani Singapore Hindu Indrana and her husband share their touching story
Jade Canada Catholic ``I began to realize the many contradictions of the Catholic religion``
Jamilah ? Seventh Day Adventist ``I had .. intentions of converting Muslims and I became converted``
Jemima Goldsmith UK Jewish background Daughter of billionaire Sir James Goldsmith
Jenni Rauhala Finland Christian Her website about Islam, in Finnish
Jewellee USA ? ``..the best thing I ever did in my life and I never looked back``
Joanne Richards CA, USA Catholic background ``..embracing Islam has been the single greatest gift ever..``
K.H. Abdullateef USA ? ``What kind of book was this?``
Kareema Michigan, USA Christian ``Why would God create himself in human form and die?``
Karen Flamiano USA Catholic ``If Jesus is God, then why did he have a conversation with God``
Dr. Kari Ann Owen USA ? ``I began to look .. to Islamic culture for moral guidance``
Karima ? Secular Humanist ``..I have found the door to spiritual and intellectual freedom``
Karimah ? Southern Baptist ``..one never actually heard the whole Bible - only select verses``
Kathy Canada Atheist ``I was once a happy `speculative atheist```
Khadija Ireland Catholic background ``I felt really sure that there is no God but Allah``
Khadija ? ? ``..God Almighty in His Infinite Mercy answered my prayers``
Khadija Philippines Catholic ``Teresita converted to Islam? What got into her?``
Khadijah ? Catholic ``I am a better person today and I have faith in my Allah``
Khadijah Watson Now S. Arabia Christian Former pastor, missionary, professor. Master`s Degree in Divinity
Lara Canada None ``I find Islam ever-more fascinating, and I enjoy living as a Muslima``
Laure France Buddhist background ``I was afraid to be seriously wounded``
Leila Raffin Paris, France Catholic background ``Islam has a very bad image in non-muslim countries..``
Lori Ohio, USA Christian ``If Jesus was God than how could Jesus (God) die on the cross?``
Lyla CA, USA Quaker background ``I felt so peaceful and happy``
Madonna Johnson ? Christian background ``..all of my turmoil and anxiety was gone..``
Mahasin ? Jehovah`s Witness ``..we would knock on doors on Satuarday mornings..``
Mahmuda Australia Catholic ``..I had always been a Muslim without being aware of it``
Malaak VA, USA Christian/None ``I knew that the things in the Qur`an had to be from Allah``
Mary Abdalla MA, USA Catholic ``I was determined to find something wrong with Islam``. Homepage
Maryam Egypt/USA Catholic/Buddhism ``There is no more conflict within, because I have come home``
Maryam bint Noel Australia/UK Baha`i Faith ``I began to find Baha`i theology to be not quite honest``. E-Mail her !
Maryam Jameelah USA/Pakistan Jew Formerly Margaret Marcus. Well known writer. Letter to her parents
Mas`udah UK ? ``No .. religion .. have I found so comprehensible and encouraging``
Mavis B. Jolly UK Church of England ``..influenced by the usual condemnation .. I picked on polygamy``
Melanie Texas, USA Christian ``..my heart screamed that this is the missing piece to the puzzle!``
Michelle USA Catholic (Jewish origin) ``I wish all mankind could come to know the truth (haqq) of Islam``
Michelle Al-Nasr ? ? ``..Islam, is my way of life, my love, my peacefulness, and my hope``
Monica Ecuador/USA Catholic ``Islam, in contrast to Catholicism, seemed very pure``
Muslim Sister USA Christian ``You`re American? Oh, your husband must be from the Middle East``
Nadia USA Christian
Natassia M. Kelly USA Christian
Noor UK Hindu Insights into Women in Islam vs. Women in Hinduism
Nourallah ? ? ``..i found my happiness in islam..``
Nur Habiba ? Christian ``I am now 15 and wearing hijab and niqaab, subahaanallah``
Phreddie USA Christian ``I studied Islam quietly, on my own, in secret, for two years``
Qadirah ? ? ``I stated that all muslims were like the NOI..``
Rehana USA Southern Baptist ``I found the hijab very liberating``
Rosalina Philippines ? ``I am now on the right path of life``
Rukaiya Japan None ``[Islam] was simple and logical .. never against human conscience``
Ruqayyah USA Christian ``.. Islam doesn`t teach that Jesus (pbuh) was crucified``
Ruqqayah ? Baptist/Catholic ``how can three be one and the same?? ``
S.S. Lai Brunei/UK See note Chinese idolatry/ancestor worship
Sabrina C Sri Lanka Catholic background
Sabyrah Altagh USA Christian background
Safiyah Johnson WI, USA Christian ``After 48 hours I knew .. that I had found what I had searched for``
Sandra USA Christian
Sara ? Christian background ``reading [truth about Jesus] was like having a light bulb turned on``
Shakira Graham CA, USA Christian Reformed ``..I thought Islam was oppressive to women and .. terrorists``
Shannon ? Christian ``.. viewing Jesus as a Prophet .. makes a lot more sense``
Shariffa Carlo USA Christian Some articles by this sister, on various aspects of Islam
Sharon Canaan Texas, USA Christian ``WHY DO I HAVE TO GO THROUGH JESUS?``
Shellie Perreault Michigan, USA Christian ``I tried .. to find a valid argument for Christianity but I couldn`t..``
Sigrún Valsdóttir Iceland Evangelical Lutheran Her homepage about Islam
Sophie Jenkins UK Catholic/Protestant ``I was so angry, every time I saw a Muslim woman in the street...``
Sumaiya (Kristin) USA Catholic background ``Accepting Islam was like an awakening of my spirit, my mind..``
Summaya Canada ? ``[Islam] is widely assumed to be prejudicial to [women]``
Susannah USA S Baptist background
Themise Cruz USA Christian ``They think that we are fundamentalists or terrorists``
Tena Canada Anglican ``My husband read the Qu`ran and then shortly after converted``
Tina Illinois, USA Protestant ``I thank Allah(swt) every day for guiding me..``
Um Kalthum ? ? ``I now wear my hijab everywhere and no one makes me feel bad``
Um Luqman USA Roman Catholic ``Jesus(AS) made sense to me as being a Prophet``
Valerie N. Fields NC, USA Christian ``I had problems accepting .. ``The Trinity``, it just didn’t make sense``
Vera Ferrell GA, USA ? ``My husband should be the only man to gaze upon my body..``
Yoko Japan ? ``My mother wept and asked me to reconsider``
Z. Amatullah PA, USA Baptist
Zaakira ? Christian ``I can`t explain how good I feel on the inside as well as the outside``
Zahirah ? Catholic 3 of her siblings also embraced Islam !
Zahra Cox ? Christian ``I feel so fortunate and blessed to have been guided ``
Zahida USA Christian ``Allah (S.W.T.) guided me to the path of righteousness``
Zainab USA Christian ``No a guy did not convert me``. An ex-Sunday School teacher
Zakiyyah Australia ? ``..that one experience of salat [prayer] had a profound effect``
Zehra ? Christian ``Allah had made the perfect religion, and I`d found it``
Brothers
Name Home Prior Belief Notes/Quotes
A. Greene UK Roman Catholic Abdur Raheem Greene, the well known caller to Islam. Video here
A. LeBlanc ? Christian ``..the Bible led me to Islam``. Important reading for truth seekers
A. Paguta Philippines Christian Later moved to Saudi Arabia
A. Tagamolila Philippines Catholic ``As a Roman Catholic, I had been very religious since childhood``
A. Thomas USA Christian background CEO, The Islamic Investment Banking Unit, United Bank of Kuwait
Aaron Greenwich USA Christian ``I started this letter as a Christian but I end it as a Muslim``
Aaron Sellers USA Baptist ``The impact of [4:157] was to dramatically change my life``
Abd al-Hayy USA Zen Buddhist Published poet and writer under the name Daniel Moore
Abdul Aziz VA, USA Baptist ``I began to ask Allah to show me the straight path``
Sir Abdullah UK Christian Statesman and Baronet
Abdullah B. UK ?
Abdullah Reda ? Catholic ``I finally found the answer to the .. question of the meaning of life``
Abdullah Uemura Japan ?
Abdul-Haqq Brunei/UK Protestant/Anglican Formerly known as D.T.F. Wong
Abdullah al-Faruq USA Pentecostal Former Minister and Elder of the Pentecostal Church !
Abdul Lateef USA Protestant background
Abdul-Rashid CA, USA Catholic Muslim Military Members
AbdusSalam Sipes CA, USA Christian A former member of the KKK (Ku Klux Klan). His homepage
Abd-ul-Waahid UK Christian Abd-ul-Waahid `Bruce` Paterson
Abu Cuyler Chicago, USA Agnostic ``Islam taught me how to live, and how to pray``
Abu Kadr CA, USA Christian Former Death Row inmate, now Imam of a mosque
Adam Knoerzer USA Catholic ``I read it [the Qur`an], and I was .. convinced that it was the truth``
Adam Wilson Michigan, USA Christian/Agnostic ``IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN READ THIS``
Ahmad Michigan, USA Christian background ``It seems like I have always been a Muslim``
Ahmed Corpus Philippines Born-again Christian Former Sunday School teacher & full-time ministry worker
Ali A. USA Catholic ``How can we be monotheists yet believe in trinity?``
Dr. Ali Benoist France ? Catholic family background
Ali Campbell USA Protestant An American scientist
Ali Mori Japan ? Ali Muhammad Mori
Ali Omair USA Roman Catholic ``I have found the Straight Path and Insha’Allah I will never leave it``
Andrew W. Smith Midwest USA Baptist background ``..trinity - it just did not make sense to me``
Anselm Tormeeda Majorca Christian Testimony of a 14th century CE scholar and priest !
Antoine L. Mason USA Christian/NOI Guided to true Islam, after a spell with Farrakhan`s racist cult
Austin ? Christian ``Islam abolishes racism, and promotes peace, and equality``
Dr. B. Abdul Alim ? ? ``I had .. studied comparative religion .. but refused to accept Islam``
Bogdan Kopankski Poland/USA Christian Ph.D. History & Politics. Imprisoned twice by Polish Communists
Brad L. Johnson USA Christian His homepage
Bruce Do Canada Protestant (see note) United Church of Canada. See the Vietnamese Muslims` Homepage
Chadi Lebanon Christian background ``..i felt the truth, the majesty behind each word..``
Chandara Singapore Hindu Chandara and his wife share their touching story
Christopher USA Christian ``I got tired of the unintelligible doctrines and the .. contradictions``
Christopher Bohar PA, USA Satanist/Christian Undertook a serious study of Islam after 9/11
D. M. Monreal Philippines Catholic
Col. D.S. Rockwell USA ? Colonel Donald S. Rockwell. Poet, critic, author
David Praderelli ? Catholic ``No .. religion including Catholicism impacted me in such a .. way``
Davis UK Anglican/Catholic
Devis Warrington Austria Christian background
Donald W. Flood USA Christian background `The Best Way to Live and Die` - A must read for truth seekers
E. Ahmed Tori USA Catholic ``Actually, I love Jesus, because I follow Muhammad``
E. D. Llarenas Philippines Catholic
Emad-ud-Deen KT, USA Jew The homepage of Emad-ud-Deen Richard Leiman
Everlast USA Catholic Everlast, aka Eric Schrody
F. Overing Holland ?
Faruq Abdullah Indiana, USA Catholic ``I knew that I had found the truth I had struggled to embrace``
Faruq. B. Karai Zanzibar ?
G. B. Delomas Philippines Catholic
Dr. Gary Miller USA Christian Former missionary. Author of many good articles on Islam
George Anthony Kuwait Catholic A former Catholic priest !
Dr. Germanus Hungary ? Dr. Abdul-Karim Germanus, Professor of Oriental Studies
Greg Noakes USA Protestant background ``The Qur`an has been preserved in its original form``
Gregor Shepherd ? None ``Religion was the last topic I could tolerate``
H. F. Fellow UK Christian background
Dr. Hamid Marcus Germany ? Scientist, author, journalist
Harun USA Christian ``I have seen the beauty of people, living as muslims``
Hasan al-Amriki USA Southern Baptist A Native American Indian brother`s journey to the truth
Haroon al-Qahtani USA ?
Prof. Haroon Leon UK ? Etymologist, geologist and author
Hazer ? ? ``I find that the Bible just does`nt make sense``
Lord Headley UK Catholic Cambridge-educated Peer, statesman, and author
Husain Rofe UK Anglican
Hydadura Mendes Sri Lanka Christian
I. W. Zejilersky Poland Catholic
Ibrahim Karlsson Sweden Atheist ``I had no need of any god``
Ibrahim Khalil Egypt Coptic Formerly Ibrahim Khalil Philobus, an Egyptian Coptic priest !
Ibrahim Voo Malaysia Catholic
Ihsan C. Gim Sam Singapore Taoist/Christian ``..the concept of Trinity was introduced in 325 A.D..``
Dr. Ismail Balogun Nigeria Ahmadi/Qadiani An Ahmadi leader renounces Ahmadiyya. A must read !
Ismail Godwin CA, USA ? ``I was taught to believe that Muslims were obviously mad men``
J.W. Lovegrove UK ?
Sir Jalaluddin UK Church of England Oxford-educated statesman and Baronet
Dr. Jeffrey Lang Kansas, USA Catholic/Atheist Associate Professor of Mathematics at the University of Kansas
Dr. Jerald F. Dirks USA Methodist Former minister of the United Methodist Church. M.Div (Harvard)
Jihad Mujahid USA Christian Embraced Islam whilst serving a prison term
Jim Beaven USA Christian ``..I would do my duty by converting Muslims to the Christian faith``
John Birch Texas, USA Methodist ``I went on a 20-year-long search for the truth``.
Joakim Sweden ? ``I heard a cassette for Yusuf Islam how he became muslim``
Juan Alavardo ? Catholic ``I have found what the truth is``
Lee Cooper UK ? ``I had a book (The Qur`an) which is backed by scientific fact``
M. Selliah Sri Lanka Catholic
M. A. Hobohm Germany ? Muhammad Aman Hobohm. Diplomat, missionary, social worker
M. A. R. Webb USA Presbyterian American diplomat, author, journalist. 1846-1916 CE
M. J. Webster UK Protestant Muhammad John Webster. President, The English Muslim Mission
M. S. Takeuchi Japan ?
Malcolm X USA Christian/NOI From the falsehood of the Nation of Islam, to true Islam
Malik Canada ? ``I finally know what it feels like to be humble``
Martin Mwaipopo Tanzania Lutheran Ex-Archbishop ! His wife (former Catholic nun) also converted !
Michael Wolfe USA Christian/Jewish Writer and traveller
Michael Yip New Zealand Christian
Mike LoPrete USA Christian 19 year old college student. ``I didn`t get the idea of the trinity``
Milan Sulc Czech Athiest ``I came .. across some scientific facts which took my breath away``
Miland Limaye ? Christian ``the Bible has been corrupted by the .. church that was to protect it``
Mohammed Iqbal ? Sikh background We`re interested in collecting more stories from ex-Sikhs. Email us !
Muhammad Asad Austria Jew Statesman, journalist, author. A translator of the Qur`an
Muhammad Yahya UK None ``I never thought of God or religion, except to satirize them..``
Mohammed India Hindu A former leader of the group that demolished Babri Mosque
Murad Hoffman Germany ? Ph.D(Law) Harvard. Social scientist and diplomat
Mustaqiim Sahir ? Christian ``..if Jesus was God how could he die?``
Najm Uddin UK Christian ``..questions I had carried for years were being answered``
Nuh Breechen ? ? ``When I [read the Quran], the dam broke``
Omar CA, USA ? ``..it hits me like a ``bolt of lightning`` READ THE QUR`AN!``
R. O. Pasion Philippines Catholic
Raphael LA, USA Jehovah`s Witness A former Jehovah`s Witness minister !
Dr. R.L. Mellema Hungary ? Anthropologist, writer, scholar
Rendra ? Catholic ``everything that has a ``muslim taste`` in it was .. inappropriate``
Rob Wicks USA Baptist ``a reasoned faith which was very prayerful..``
Robin Padilla Philippines ? A famous film actor in the Philippines
Russ Crawley USA Pentecostal ``I am coming to see that Muhammmed is a real prohet ``
Salahuddin Boart USA Christian
Samir India (Note) Christian Later moved to Saudi Arabia
Samir ? Agnostic ``My conversion to Islam has been intellectual and emotional``
Shawn Smith Canada Christian Heads Answering Christianity. At one time trained to be a minister !
T.H. McBarklie Ireland Protestant
Tai Fu Taiwan/USA Buddhist ``I wasn`t interested .. I thought muslims were barbaric``
Tavis Adibudeen USA Christian ``It is the light at the end of the tunnel``
Thomas Clayton USA Christian background
Thomas Irving Canada Christian ``At last I was able to accept Muhammad as an apostle of God``
Ulf Karlsson Sweden Atheist ``I had no belief in god, and all this religious stuff seemed strange``
Umar Crescenzi USA Catholic ``..teachers tried to explain the trinity to me .. but it made no sense``
Dr. Umar Ehrenfels Austria ? A Professor of Anthropology
Umar Mita Japan ? Economist, social worker, preacher
Unknown ? Baha`i Faith A Journey to Islam - 2 emails and a newsgroup article
Unknown CA, USA None ``Well, looks like another Muslim has come out of my classes.``
Viacheslav Polosin Russia Orthodox Christian Former Archpriest of the Russian Orthodox Church !
Vincent Montagne France None Scholar and writer
W. B. B. Pickard UK Christian Author, poet, novelist
Yahiye Gadahn USA Christian ``As I began reading .. the Qur`an, I became more .. convinced ..``
Yusuf Ali Bernier Canada Catholic ``It alleviated my confusion and turned it into clarity``
Yusuf Ansari Scotland ? Brother Yusuf is currently serving a life sentence in prison
Yusuf Estes USA Christian A Federal Prison Chaplain. His website is aimed at non-Muslims
Yusuf Islam UK Christian Famous ex-musician, formerly Cat Stevens. A must read !
In the News
The new face of Islam by Nick Compton, thisislondon.com. ``All I had ever heard about Islam in the media was Hezbollah and guerrillas and all of that. And here were these really decent people whom I was beginning to get to know. So I started to ask a few questions and I was amazed at my own ignorance`` - Roger, a British Physician
Mum, I`ve decided I want to follow Allah - Western women are turning to Islam in rapidly increasing numbers. Kay Jardine of The Herald discovers why they are so keen to become Muslims
Muslims celebrate feast of Eid by Harvey Shepherd, Montreal Gazette. Focuses on the Eid celebrations of recent converts to Islam in Montreal, Quebec (Canada)
Americans in Mecca say Sept 11 Deepened Faith
Muslim faithful are fighting myths that grew out of 9/11 by Andrea Robinson, The Miami Herald
Islam`s Female Converts by Priya Malhotra, Newsday.com. ``Islam represents the beautiful, traditional, grounded and authentic.`` - Marcia Hermansen, Professor of Islamic Studies at Loyola University, Chicago, USA
Concordia students tell of their conversion to Islam
Islam gains Hispanic adherents in Hudson
New Muslims by Marina Jiménez, National Post. Reports on the increasing propensity of Americans to embrace Islam. ``I really felt that this religion was the truth and what I`d been looking for my whole life. I used to feel something was wrong with me because I couldn`t grasp the concept of God. Now I finally had peace of heart`` - Tiffany Motschenbacher
``Allah Came Knocking At My Heart`` by Giles Whittell, The Times. Reports a surge in conversions to Islam since September 11, especially among highly educated, affluent, young white Britons
A Wave of Conversion to Islam in the U.S. Following September 11 - Islam has come under intense scrutiny in the U.S., and as a result, Americans are converting to Islam in greater numbers than ever before
Islam Attracts Converts by the Thousands, Drawn Before and After Attacks - A must-read story by Jodi Wilgoren, The New York Times
More in Hawai`i turn to Islam
Rome`s Envoy to Saudi Arabia Converts to Islam
From Christianity to Islam: A Journey of Faith by Tara Dooley, Chicago Tribune
A Woman on a Mission - Article from The Guardian (London) about a Scottish convert
Why British Women are turning to Islam - Article from The Times (London)
It was if if `The Scales had been lifted from my Eyes`
From a Bathing Suit to Hijab by Christine Hauser, Islamic Voice
Iman finds Islam by Mrs. N. Hashim, Islamic Voice
Former US Model Overwhelmed by Muslim Pilgrimage
Muslim Women in Japan - Japan Times - Also see A Japanese Woman`s Experience of Hijab by Nakata Khaula and My Transformation to Islam by Fitra, a recent convert from Osaka, Japan
Small wave of Latinos feel draw of Islam - Christian Science Monitor
Converts in Kuwait - From Skirts to Abayas by Sarah McBride, Kuwait Times
A World Where Womanhood Reigns Supreme (The Seeds of My Own Re-evaluations) by Mary Walker for the BBC
To the Sanctity of Makkah by Fozail Aqdas Ghazali, Saudi Gazette - How Rudolph Lewis, a former United States Air Force man, discovered Islam whilst working in Saudi Arabia
Becoming a Muslim
How to become a Muslim
Why Should You be a Muslim ? - A RealAudio lecture by Dawood Adib (USA), a convert to Islam from Christianity
Part 1 - To download, right-click here then select Save Target As
Part 2 - To download, right-click here then select Save Target As
I want to embrace Islam, but ..
Maryam Jameelah`s Open Letter to Her Parents. The well-known convert from Judaism writes a letter to her mother and father, inviting them to embrace the one true religion. Her own conversion testimony can be found here
Have questions or concerns about converting to Islam ? Need help ? Send an email to questions@thetruereligion.org
#5 Posted by Ansari on April 4, 2002 2:56:40 pm
August 1968
The Ogre does what ogres can,
Deeds quite impossible for Man,
But one prize is beyond his reach:
The Ogre cannot master speech.
About a subjugated plain,
Among it`s desperate and slain,
The Ogre stalks with hands on hips,
While drivel gushes from his lips.
-- W.H.Auden
The Ogre does what ogres can,
Deeds quite impossible for Man,
But one prize is beyond his reach:
The Ogre cannot master speech.
About a subjugated plain,
Among it`s desperate and slain,
The Ogre stalks with hands on hips,
While drivel gushes from his lips.
-- W.H.Auden
#6 Posted by ylh on April 4, 2002 2:56:40 pm
Well written and exactly what I have been harping on:
1) Gandhi brought religion into Politics.
2) Gandhi destroyed the Fabric of Unity by using religion as the populist tool.
3) Gandhi encouraged extreme conservative movements such Shudhi, Sanghtan and Khilafat Movements which later made the Hindu Muslim and even Hindu Hindu reconciliation impossible.
Had there been no Gandhi, a United India would have won self government by 1925 with true secularism, true federalism and true democracy as its guiding principles! This is not a mere claim, but a scientific speculation.
I salute chowk Staff for publishing this article and putting an end to hagiography of the `Mahatma` which even some high ups in Chowk were guilty off!
Pmishra`s argument that `since Gandhi died at the hands of these people, he wasn`t responsible for them` doesn`t make sense...
Another Gandhi, Indira Gandhi was responsible for the creation of Bhindrawallah... and yet she succumbed to his followers didn`t she? Similarly Israel funded Hamas in the late 1970s but most Israelis die at their hands today.
-YLH
1) Gandhi brought religion into Politics.
2) Gandhi destroyed the Fabric of Unity by using religion as the populist tool.
3) Gandhi encouraged extreme conservative movements such Shudhi, Sanghtan and Khilafat Movements which later made the Hindu Muslim and even Hindu Hindu reconciliation impossible.
Had there been no Gandhi, a United India would have won self government by 1925 with true secularism, true federalism and true democracy as its guiding principles! This is not a mere claim, but a scientific speculation.
I salute chowk Staff for publishing this article and putting an end to hagiography of the `Mahatma` which even some high ups in Chowk were guilty off!
Pmishra`s argument that `since Gandhi died at the hands of these people, he wasn`t responsible for them` doesn`t make sense...
Another Gandhi, Indira Gandhi was responsible for the creation of Bhindrawallah... and yet she succumbed to his followers didn`t she? Similarly Israel funded Hamas in the late 1970s but most Israelis die at their hands today.
-YLH
#7 Posted by rsridhar on April 4, 2002 2:56:40 pm
Farzana,
You are now on a turf that you do not know much about. You also sound angry. So, it is but natural that you are not objective. You have no understanding of what Gandhi`s impact is on India and the whole world.
When i see wave after way of suicide bombers putting to naught any kind of reconciliation between Palestenians and Israelis, i am reminded of non-violent struggle as the only way out of this vexed problem. Gandhi had the ingenuity to realise that only a non-violent struggle can liberate India. Even in his death he brought peace and established secular values on a firm footing. RSS, VHP during those early days had to run for cover and were banned. If they have resurfaced, it is not Gandhi`s fault. People are to blame.
``When he used non-violence as a “weapon” there was a method in the madness. It was a gimmick, for the freedom struggle was most certainly not bloodless.``
Looks like you read a different history than i did. India`s freedom struggle was by and large peaceful. No one ever said it was bloodless. We had Chandrasekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh and others who believed in a violent struggle but none of them had a vast following like Gandhi and congress did. It was due to this legacy of peace and communal amity that saw India successfully promulgate its first constitution. India`s minorites settled down to a peaceful co-existence with the majorities. Nehru was diehard secular. He was also an atheist and did not interfere much in religious matters.
If Gandhi`s legacy has failed in India today, it is mainly because people have not understood his message. West today seems to understand Gandhi better.
``If only the Congress had not claimed copyright over him….if only one of their men had not assassinated him…if only he had not become an international hero for the wrong reasons…"
What kind of balloney is this? How can congress claim any copyright over Gandhi. Who gave them the permission? How did Gandhi become an international hero for the wrong reasons?I think you need to take a break from your writings. You seem to be loosing your marbles.
``His fasts achieved nothing except more murder and mayhem.``
Did you forget the peace he brought to Noakhali and Calcutta. And to Delhi when he fasted in Birla house.
``And will they listen to the voice of reason? No. But neither did Gandhi. When there was talk of an honourable settlement between the Hindus and Muslims almost a decade before Partition, he had stated, “I wish I could do something but I am utterly helpless. My faith in unity is as bright as ever; only I see no daylight but impenetrable darkness and in such distress I cry out to god for light.``
What does the above statement mean? I think you have not understood the real meaning. Gandhi was against partition. Every fiber in his body cried out against it. But he also saw that he was the lone voice of sanity. He had to prove to others that Muslims and Hindus can indeed live together. How was he to do this if both communities were indulging in communal frenzy? He set out in the task of bringing peace to India by travelling to places where such madness was prevailing. He travelled acrosss villages in Noakhali and Calcutta and, by Satyagraha, tried to convince the people that there was a way out. People were to blame not he.
There is no comparison between L.K.Advani and Gandhi. Your attempt to compare them is really pathetic.
By the way, have you ever read any of his biographies. I really doubt if you have. You also seem to be what i have always suspected, a whiner. Blame it on Gandhi for all the ills. May be you should find another scapegoat. Some people in chowk can help you with that.
All in all, a pathetic attempt.
Sorry for my criticism, but that is how i feel about this latest article that you have posted. I hope life teaches you to reach out to people who have their heart in the right place. There are millions of secular Hindus who do not like what BJP and VHP are upto. Many of us have seen through the disguise that LKA wears everyday. Mostof us have one thing in common: we look upto the greatest Indian ever born viz Mahatma Gandhi. His teachings are still relevant. If you were objective, you would realise that. By criticising father of the nation, you are only demeaning yourself.
Sridhar
You are now on a turf that you do not know much about. You also sound angry. So, it is but natural that you are not objective. You have no understanding of what Gandhi`s impact is on India and the whole world.
When i see wave after way of suicide bombers putting to naught any kind of reconciliation between Palestenians and Israelis, i am reminded of non-violent struggle as the only way out of this vexed problem. Gandhi had the ingenuity to realise that only a non-violent struggle can liberate India. Even in his death he brought peace and established secular values on a firm footing. RSS, VHP during those early days had to run for cover and were banned. If they have resurfaced, it is not Gandhi`s fault. People are to blame.
``When he used non-violence as a “weapon” there was a method in the madness. It was a gimmick, for the freedom struggle was most certainly not bloodless.``
Looks like you read a different history than i did. India`s freedom struggle was by and large peaceful. No one ever said it was bloodless. We had Chandrasekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh and others who believed in a violent struggle but none of them had a vast following like Gandhi and congress did. It was due to this legacy of peace and communal amity that saw India successfully promulgate its first constitution. India`s minorites settled down to a peaceful co-existence with the majorities. Nehru was diehard secular. He was also an atheist and did not interfere much in religious matters.
If Gandhi`s legacy has failed in India today, it is mainly because people have not understood his message. West today seems to understand Gandhi better.
``If only the Congress had not claimed copyright over him….if only one of their men had not assassinated him…if only he had not become an international hero for the wrong reasons…"
What kind of balloney is this? How can congress claim any copyright over Gandhi. Who gave them the permission? How did Gandhi become an international hero for the wrong reasons?I think you need to take a break from your writings. You seem to be loosing your marbles.
``His fasts achieved nothing except more murder and mayhem.``
Did you forget the peace he brought to Noakhali and Calcutta. And to Delhi when he fasted in Birla house.
``And will they listen to the voice of reason? No. But neither did Gandhi. When there was talk of an honourable settlement between the Hindus and Muslims almost a decade before Partition, he had stated, “I wish I could do something but I am utterly helpless. My faith in unity is as bright as ever; only I see no daylight but impenetrable darkness and in such distress I cry out to god for light.``
What does the above statement mean? I think you have not understood the real meaning. Gandhi was against partition. Every fiber in his body cried out against it. But he also saw that he was the lone voice of sanity. He had to prove to others that Muslims and Hindus can indeed live together. How was he to do this if both communities were indulging in communal frenzy? He set out in the task of bringing peace to India by travelling to places where such madness was prevailing. He travelled acrosss villages in Noakhali and Calcutta and, by Satyagraha, tried to convince the people that there was a way out. People were to blame not he.
There is no comparison between L.K.Advani and Gandhi. Your attempt to compare them is really pathetic.
By the way, have you ever read any of his biographies. I really doubt if you have. You also seem to be what i have always suspected, a whiner. Blame it on Gandhi for all the ills. May be you should find another scapegoat. Some people in chowk can help you with that.
All in all, a pathetic attempt.
Sorry for my criticism, but that is how i feel about this latest article that you have posted. I hope life teaches you to reach out to people who have their heart in the right place. There are millions of secular Hindus who do not like what BJP and VHP are upto. Many of us have seen through the disguise that LKA wears everyday. Mostof us have one thing in common: we look upto the greatest Indian ever born viz Mahatma Gandhi. His teachings are still relevant. If you were objective, you would realise that. By criticising father of the nation, you are only demeaning yourself.
Sridhar
#8 Posted by rsridhar on April 4, 2002 2:56:40 pm
re: the article
Farzana,
In continuation of my criticism of this pathetic article that you have posted, let me say this to you. Gandhiji never shied away from going to the fields to put his ideas to practice. He was not an armchair theorist. I suggest to you that if you want to do something for your community, get your butt out there in the field amongst your folks and see how difficult it is. Stop whining. Muslims in India do not have one single leader among their community to look upto. Yet you find time to criticise Gandhiji, who has been a beacon of hope not just for Indians but for world at large.
Sridhar
Farzana,
In continuation of my criticism of this pathetic article that you have posted, let me say this to you. Gandhiji never shied away from going to the fields to put his ideas to practice. He was not an armchair theorist. I suggest to you that if you want to do something for your community, get your butt out there in the field amongst your folks and see how difficult it is. Stop whining. Muslims in India do not have one single leader among their community to look upto. Yet you find time to criticise Gandhiji, who has been a beacon of hope not just for Indians but for world at large.
Sridhar
#9 Posted by MaheshG on April 4, 2002 5:49:12 pm
Farzana, you need help.
You are in denial. Blaming everybody for your problems except yourself.
Did YLH pen this article under your name?
#10 Posted by MaheshG on April 4, 2002 5:49:12 pm
The last few paragraphs were just whoooooosh.
Farzana, I think you should calm down before writing anything. Agitation only makes your blabber.
#11 Posted by MaheshG on April 4, 2002 5:49:12 pm
``I salute chowk Staff for publishing this article and putting an end to hagiography of the `Mahatma` which even some high ups in Chowk were guilty off!``
Just because two idiots agree with each other doesn`t make them wise.
Just because two idiots agree with each other doesn`t make them wise.
#12 Posted by Studebaker on April 4, 2002 5:49:12 pm
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#13 Posted by rsaxena on April 4, 2002 5:49:12 pm
another piece of trash from the wannabe journalist....
the world beats to one tune about gandhi, faceanna and ylh to another...the world asks jinnah, who? for good reason to.
the world beats to one tune about gandhi, faceanna and ylh to another...the world asks jinnah, who? for good reason to.
#14 Posted by ylh on April 4, 2002 5:49:12 pm
Rsidhar,
Your intolerance of Ms.Versey speaks volumes about the state of Indian democracy. The fact that Indian Unity could have been preserved any time... even uptill 1946, but other than insulting and taunting solutions like `Ask Jinnah to be the Prime Minister` knowing full well that Jinnah was not fighting for Prime Ministership but simply Muslim Safeguards, Gandhi never did understand the root cause of the problem which was not personal antagonism between Jinnah and Gandhi as some allege, but the problem of Hindu Muslim Disunity, which was a fact not a theory. Gandhi deliberately strengthened the hands of the Extreme right wingers of the Congress and the Mahasabha
In the final assessment Gandhi unwittingly perhaps (though he loved religious folk) is the daddy of religious politics and the daddy of all religious parties be it JUI, or JUH or the progeny mentioned here by Ms.Versey.
-YLH
Your intolerance of Ms.Versey speaks volumes about the state of Indian democracy. The fact that Indian Unity could have been preserved any time... even uptill 1946, but other than insulting and taunting solutions like `Ask Jinnah to be the Prime Minister` knowing full well that Jinnah was not fighting for Prime Ministership but simply Muslim Safeguards, Gandhi never did understand the root cause of the problem which was not personal antagonism between Jinnah and Gandhi as some allege, but the problem of Hindu Muslim Disunity, which was a fact not a theory. Gandhi deliberately strengthened the hands of the Extreme right wingers of the Congress and the Mahasabha
In the final assessment Gandhi unwittingly perhaps (though he loved religious folk) is the daddy of religious politics and the daddy of all religious parties be it JUI, or JUH or the progeny mentioned here by Ms.Versey.
-YLH
#15 Posted by hassann on April 4, 2002 5:49:12 pm
Farzana
The anger at the massacre in Gujarat is understandable. Frankly, if Muslims had done a similar thing to hindus or christians in such a cold and calculated manner, it would have been an equal tragedy. We in this new century have to start thinking like civilized human beings and condemn cruelty and injustice.
Now coming to Gandhi in your article. An objective history of India shows that he was a great leader of India. Whatever he did and talked was for the upliftment of Indian masses. India needs a number of enlightened leaders like Gandhi and Nehru. Similarly Pakistan also needs many great leaders like Mr. Jinnah.
Nehru laid the foundations of secular India. If Nehru was not in power during formative years of India, then VHP, RSS, Shiv Sena and many other sectarian parties would have come into power much earlier.
Lastly, I believe that most the Muslims in India are the sons of Indian soil living there for centuries. Most of the descendents of foreign invaders have already gone out to Pakistan, Bangla Desh or elsewhere in the World. The majority of converts came from low castes or untouchables. The converted muslims were not treated well by either muslims or hindus. So the poor masses of India continue to suffer even after conversion to Islam.
Why no Middle Eastern Muslim country raise their voice for Indian muslims. When a few Jews or Arabs get killed in Palestine, then the whole World knows about them. When thousands of Indian Muslims are slaughtered in India, there is a brief news in the American media.
Let us acknowledge that all who were killed in Gujarat were human being first and then Hindus, Muslims or christians. Then and only then we can put things in a proper perspective.
The anger at the massacre in Gujarat is understandable. Frankly, if Muslims had done a similar thing to hindus or christians in such a cold and calculated manner, it would have been an equal tragedy. We in this new century have to start thinking like civilized human beings and condemn cruelty and injustice.
Now coming to Gandhi in your article. An objective history of India shows that he was a great leader of India. Whatever he did and talked was for the upliftment of Indian masses. India needs a number of enlightened leaders like Gandhi and Nehru. Similarly Pakistan also needs many great leaders like Mr. Jinnah.
Nehru laid the foundations of secular India. If Nehru was not in power during formative years of India, then VHP, RSS, Shiv Sena and many other sectarian parties would have come into power much earlier.
Lastly, I believe that most the Muslims in India are the sons of Indian soil living there for centuries. Most of the descendents of foreign invaders have already gone out to Pakistan, Bangla Desh or elsewhere in the World. The majority of converts came from low castes or untouchables. The converted muslims were not treated well by either muslims or hindus. So the poor masses of India continue to suffer even after conversion to Islam.
Why no Middle Eastern Muslim country raise their voice for Indian muslims. When a few Jews or Arabs get killed in Palestine, then the whole World knows about them. When thousands of Indian Muslims are slaughtered in India, there is a brief news in the American media.
Let us acknowledge that all who were killed in Gujarat were human being first and then Hindus, Muslims or christians. Then and only then we can put things in a proper perspective.
#16 Posted by roohi on April 4, 2002 5:49:12 pm
Oh Farzana ...........
Now is the time to dust off and prop up all the tattered symbols of Secular Democratic India and CLOSE RANKS in front of them in the face of EVIL.
and on no account let ``unke log`` claim Gandhi please, please, please !!!!
ylh - What Jinnah is to you Gandhi (also Nehru, Ambedkar etc.) are to India - the founding fathers, the symbols of a secular, democratic vision of India. What is the point in nit-picking ?? Let us rally to our respective symbols of freedom, secularism and democracy and build better societies for both Pakistan and India OK ?
Honestly, you deserve for fate and divine justice to have you marry some babe from a Khadi wearing Khandaan on the wrong side of the border !!!!
Now is the time to dust off and prop up all the tattered symbols of Secular Democratic India and CLOSE RANKS in front of them in the face of EVIL.
and on no account let ``unke log`` claim Gandhi please, please, please !!!!
ylh - What Jinnah is to you Gandhi (also Nehru, Ambedkar etc.) are to India - the founding fathers, the symbols of a secular, democratic vision of India. What is the point in nit-picking ?? Let us rally to our respective symbols of freedom, secularism and democracy and build better societies for both Pakistan and India OK ?
Honestly, you deserve for fate and divine justice to have you marry some babe from a Khadi wearing Khandaan on the wrong side of the border !!!!
