A Journey Like No Other: Mr. Smith’s Path to Islam

January 8, 2016January 8, 2016 by Corbin ♥ 1 Comment

Written by James Smith

I have never been the one to talk about my faith much. I have always kind of kept it to myself. So I thought I would come out of my shell and be a part of the convert conversation.

My childhood was like any other child living in the rural America. I kind of lived out of town in the country. Now when I say town, I am talking population of 2500. Yep, not exactly a city slicker. My Mom was the spiritual one. I do have a faint memory of my father being baptized but he was never much of the spiritual type. Candle_lighting_a_plate_of_oranges_and_smarties_1

I remember doing the candle thing with my Mom and we talked about Jesus but I didn’t really get it. As I grew older, God took a back seat in my life. I was more interested in comic book heroes, role playing games, and spaceships.

The Reality of Being Muslim in America

January 1, 2016January 11, 2016 by Corbin ♥ 7 Comments

Written by Theresa Corbin Published on Washington Post

The name calling and racial slurs began when I started wearing hijab.

…

Twelve years after 9/11, the climate of hate has only gotten worse. Extremists who call themselves Muslims continue to terrorize people of all faiths across the globe. American extremists continue to stoke the flames of fear and hate, attacking Muslims in rhetoric, in our houses of worship and even on the street.

hate hurts — Grafitti defaces a mosque at the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn, Mich. (Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

How I Came to Islam: Kaighla’s Story (Part 2)

November 20, 2015January 22, 2016 by UmDayo ♥ 5 Comments

Written by Kaighla Um Dayo

Part 1 here

It was early August, 2009.

I was homeless with my young son, living in a motel. But rather than focusing on finding jobs, I spent all my days and many of my nights alone with my son in my motel room, watching video after video on YouTube of people who had chosen to embrace Islam, many against violent odds.

I had already read ‘The Idiots Guide to Understanding Islam’ written by a convert to Islam called Yahiya Emerick and found myself surprised that many of my own deepest beliefs were held to be true in Islam, as well.

Finally, after weeks of this, I decided to call the local mosque because I wanted to speak with someone in person who had embraced Islam. Unfortunately, in many of the mosques in America, even today, there is no one on staff to answer the phone, and if there is, they don’t often speak fluent English.

So, when I called and asked if I could speak with someone who was a convert to Islam, the message was mixed up and though they took my number, I was sure no one would call me back, ever.

So imagine my surprise when I received a phone call later that same evening from a woman who said she was a Puerto Rican/Italian convert to Islam and would love to answer any questions I had. We arranged to meet at her home the following day. I made an excuse to use my friend’s car, and my son and I went to her house.

How I Came to Islam: Kaighla’s Story (Part 1)

November 13, 2015February 11, 2016 by UmDayo ♥ 4 Comments

Written by Kaighla Um Dayo

I was raised in a generally non-religious but very typical mid-western home.

My parents drank and partied, usually in moderation. If you asked them what their religion was, they would have responded “Christian”, but quickly followed up with some crap about being “a good person, loving God, but not interested in all that church stuff or the rules or whatever“. Unlike my family, I had a very keen interest in God from a young age, and messed around in all the major world religions by the time I was 23 and embraced Islam.

I became a very practicing Evangelical Christian when I was 15 years old, much to the chagrin of my family. Everyone called me a ‘Bible thumper’, meaning I was always justifying my arguments with Bible verses or advising people to behave in Biblically-sound ways. This made me less-than-popular in high school.

By the time I got around to college, I had found my calling: Missions. I wanted to travel the world for Jesus, showing people his love by helping them in practical things in life. My bible college in Illinois called this field “Bi-vocational Missions”. I was in my element and growing.

That was until the actual first day of class when I learned what the Bible actually teaches, along with the agreed upon tenets of the faith, one of which being that people are born with a sinful nature, inclined toward sin, and doomed for hell fire until and unless they decide to accept Jesus as God and worship Him. They like to toss in a clause about an ‘age of accountability,’ but that is nowhere to be found in the Bible, actually. Read more ›

How I Came to Islam: Stephanie’s Story

November 7, 2015November 10, 2015 by ssiam ♥ 10 Comments

Written by Stephanie Siam

For most converts, the day they become Muslim is like a new birthday. It’s a date that sits foremost in their minds, rolls off their tongues like the alphabet from a kindergartner’s. They may forget their anniversary, ATM PINs or even their private safe combinations, but the date of their conversion is ever-present.

Not me. I don’t remember the most important date in my spiritual history. I know the month (March), and I’m pretty certain of the year (through deduction and certainty of other things going on around that time that I do remember) — 2005. But I have no idea what day I became a Muslim.

I do, however, know where I was, what I was doing, and who I was with. The answers, respectively: Mobile, Alabama; walking around my neighborhood; a former friend. But, honestly, not much of that matters. At least not to me.

When I’m quizzed on the details of my conversion, the first assumption people usually make is:

Oh, you’re a convert? You became Muslim for your husband, didn’t you?

Actually, no. I did not. My husband and I were still a year and a half away from meeting each other when I converted. Read more ›

It’s Time to Talk Back!

October 30, 2015 by Corbin ♥ 4 Comments

This week, we at islamwich decided to do something a little different.

Instead of droning on and on about what we think, we want to hear from you.

We want to hear From you

So if you are a convert, a non-Muslim, or someone born into a Muslim family (Raised Muslim), find the box below that describes you, and let us know what is on your mind.

The Converts' Survey! The Non-Muslims' Survey!

The Raised Muslims' Survey!

Much love and salam, y’all.

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Mosque Faux Pas to Avoid

October 16, 2015October 30, 2015 by Corbin ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Written by Theresa Corbin

Going to the mosque can be a scary endeavor when you are a new Muslim, a non-Muslim, or even when the mosque is new to you. Going anywhere new is a scary thing (says the introvert).

But going to a place of worship that you are not quite sure what is taboo and what is deemed appropriate behavior is so much more scary. Believe me. I know. But have no fear! Theresa is here ~~to make all the mistakes for you and then report back~~ to give you the down low to make your visit go smoothly.

Mosque Faux Pas