Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

STEVE JOHNSON

(FAROOK ABDULLAH )

The History Professor in Indiana State University Declares After Embracing Islam:

O, Messenger of Allah; O, my master; Peace be upon you: Your voice has transcended the barriers of time, and it has reached us sweet and clear after 14 centuries. I can almost visualize you sitting with your companions when you said:« I long to see my brothers » . Astonished, the companions (A.S.) would ask:« Are not we your brothers, Messenger of Allah? » .

And then you would answer:« You are my companions... My brothers are the ones who would come later. They would believe in me without seeing me... Each one of them would be rewarded 50 times as much as you » . And then he would reassert, in response to your inquiry:« They will be rewarded 50 times as much as any of you, because you find others to help you in your path of doing good while they would not » .

Here, O Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H.), is one of those we believe is one of your brothers... He lived in a different time of different values, where good in his country has no followers, and where he could not seek help except for evil... But he is reborn anew, with his pure faith, and he is longing to be one of your followers... He is Steve Johnson, the history professor in the University of Indiana - Muslim who professes that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) is His Messenger... In the following we will let him tell his own story, the story of Farook Abdullah as he now calls himself:

« Islam Is Undoubtedly ‘the Right Path’... And The Quran Is the Way to know It » .

One of my earliest memories is that I used to sit under a big tree in my father’s ranch looking towards the clouds. One idea used to persist whenever I sat there: There must be a strong powerful God who runs this universe Since then I grew determined to live for the cause of this God. During the following 22 years, my life had undergone a series of transformations that drew me gradually closer and closer to Islam... I was a hardworking student, and I used to spend most of my spare time in studying... I was eager to know everything My unsocial nature and love of solitude were quite helpful. I spent long hours in reading... In the eighth grade, I was injured in a car accident as I was on my way to attend my grandmother’s funeral... In a few seconds, my whole life changed... I lied in my hospital bed unable to move. My head was hit... I could not feel anything in the left side of my body. I also lost the sense of hearing in my right ear...

Upon my hospital bed, a man on a cross was hung on the wall... who according to my Christian Catholic belief was God... I believed then that he loves me and would relief me of my pains... I prayed to him and promised that I would dedicate all my life to him.

This accident deprived me of the ability to practice any physical activity which made me devote even more time to reading and studying.

I knew that the church does not allow priests to marry, but I believed that such a sacrifice was necessary for the purpose of serving God... Meanwhile the church needed doctors, and thus I enrolled in the university to study chemistry and psychology as a prelude to study medicine... I worked hard and was the first in rank even in the first year...

I divided my time between my academic-scientific studies and my passion for philosophy and theology... Gradually, I began to lose interest in becoming a physician but I was accepted in the school of medicine which was, as I thought, a sign from God that I ought to continue, and so I did.

In the following years, I had little time for philosophy, because, as you know, studying the various branches of medicine is quite demanding. Nevertheless, I used to spend a few hours everyday in praying and contemplating... I also had to serve in the local church... Yet a strong feeling of anxiety and frustration was gradually getting hold of me... I started to have doubts regarding my faith and began to hate my studies...

This led me to taking drugs and alcohol. I did not want to feel anything or think about anything. I began to take pills and wine the moment I woke up in the morning, and my religion failed to help me... Then one day I decided to leave the university and told the church that I wanted to dedicate myself for serving the church and studying philosophy.

I was hoping that philosophy would help me to believe in what religion says about God being human, and that all humans are sinners from the moment they are born.

I used to spend my days fasting from uttering any word and praying all the time for God to make me one of his saints. But I did not eliminate my drug and alcohol addiction. The church asked me to determine which theological school I wanted to work in. I went to Europe to find some help. I came back, deciding, as Rome wished, that I should go to Toronto. But in the end, I was sent to the Indiana University to study for a degree in philosophy, Theology, and education.

But in Indiana, I felt suddenly that my soul was completely void...

I started by being spiritually destroyed, and decided to join the church; then I wanted to study so that I could believe, but I ended in believing in nothing.

One night I was tempted, and for two years I was sinking in the depth of desperation and uncertainty... What was even worse is that I began to be offered academic awards and to hold honorable university degrees, such as the doctor’s degree of the John Hopkins University... But I did not feel the value of any of these. On the contrary, I felt that my sins were being rewarded... I began to despise myself and believe that I was a hypocrite. Then Allah’s grace made me meet a young man from Abu Dhabi called Ismail. We talked and explained some of the notions of Islam... I decided to visit the mosque on the following day. Then I took a vacation, and we went together to Denver, Colorado. We became friends and roommates. Since he knew the basis of the Islamic call, he never asked me all that period to embrace Islam. But he used to pray when the time of prayers was due, and whenever I asked him about Islam, he used to answer my specific question only.

In 1981, I joined a seminar to study Sufism. It ended by making me hate Islam although I had a great admiration for it. Three months later, Ismail gave me a book that contained certain sacred traditions... Reading it, I knew that I was mistaken... I began to tremble and felt cold; Ismail covered me with blankets but to no avail. I was shaking... What I read has struck my deepest soul and touched my spirit which was struck by its beauty, strength and truth... I knew that I have found the truth I was looking for... But I was still terrified... And I was unable to sleep or eat... Little by little the trembling began to weaken, but I was still feeling cold... As if I was hearing a bell that kept ringing these sacred traditions.

In November 1981, I professed the two testimonies: that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, and I felt a profound inner peace.

For the few next months, my soul was transcending higher and higher ...and gaining more and more peace and tranquility while I was living the sublimity of prayers and Islamic brotherhood.

I became certain that Islam is the right path. It was a gift from Allah, the All-Mighty, that nobody ought to lose.

I decided, then, and in accordance with Allah’s will, to surrender myself to God, whatever the circumstances... I dedicated myself for the call in the United States... Such a call has its bitter moments and sweet ones. I began to be frustrated by some of the brothers and sisters who were unwilling to sacrifice for the sake of the call which ought to be coupled by the feeling of subjection to the will of Allah, The Most Exalted.

I was also frustrated by those who lacked a clear vision and the will to promote the programs of the call which could present Islam to the entire American people, who although they might appear strong are in reality longing for what could determine the meaning of their lives.

Moreover, I was even more frustrated by my own incompetence and ignorance...

On the other hand, I was happy for all those who were seeking to find truth and who were finding it in the end in our straight path religion - the beautiful Islam... At such moments I used to feel that all my frustrations disappeared and evaporated.

And now when I go back in my memory to the days I was in my father’s ranch... I thank Allah, The Most Exalted, for His grace and generosity... Whose kindness has led me to the truth that was inside me...? The truth of Islam and the truth of The Quran. May Allah be praised.

THE GERMAN MUSLIM SISTER

CATHERINE MAYERHOOVER

- I felt an innate call telling me that the veil is better... But I did not do so to appease my husband but out of conviction and will.

- Islam brought me a sense of security and tranquility... I now have an aim to live and die for.

The German sister Catherine Mayerhoover is one of thousands of Western women whom the corrupt and morally deteriorating civilization was unable to tempt. They embraced Islam and came to enjoy the happiness in this world and, Allah willing, in the Hereafter.

Noor Al-Islam met the German sister in the house she lives in with her husband Hisham Shamseddine in the village of Arabsalim in southern Lebanon which suffers, like all the southern villages, from the brutal aggression of the Zionists.

She answered our questions conveying a firm belief in Islamic rites and rulings.

Q: We would like to express in the beginning our feelings of pride in meeting with sisters like you, and we ask you to introduce yourself and tell us about how you became a Muslim.

A: I was born in 1968 in Stuttgart where I grew up and went to school until I graduated from high school. Then I met my Lebanese husband, and we were married in Germany.

As for my environment and the family’s atmosphere, it was a relatively reserved Christian one. We all used to go to church on Sunday, and we had strong ties which used to bond us together with the rest of our relatives and especially my grandparents. But when they died things changed for the underlying motive was not being good to one’s relatives, but rather to please my grandparents. And such a problem faces all the Western societies in general, where all emotional ties are severed once they lose their bonding element.

As for the larger environment, the role of religion with respect to the relations between individuals is quite formal and limited. Moreover, it has almost no role whatsoever in the issues of economy and education; whereas the issues of politics and nationalism play a major role whether in the German society or all Western ones.

Q: Can you tell us about the direct and principal motives that made you adopt Islam?

A: When I reached the age of 14, I no longer felt the need to go to church, for I had by that time reached the conclusion that what is considered to be the Bible is not realistic and could not be applied in our contemporary life. Then I began to feel that there is no role for the church and religion in the life of my generation. I stopped going to church, although I was not familiar with Islam and its Divine values. It was at this stage of emptiness that I met my husband who demanded that we should be married in accordance with the Islamic Shari’a, and I had to declare that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger in front of a Sheikh. But I did not feel that I became a true Muslim.

After our marriage, we came to Lebanon to visit his family; I noticed that some women wore veils while the others did not. But the veiled women caught my attention more than the others. I felt as if I was asked by an inner call to wear a veil. Back in Germany and after a thorough study of many Islamic books, I wore the veil and began to practice all Islamic rituals especially the prayers. Yet my motive was never to please my husband and his family, but rather, it was based on a firm belief in Islam.

Q: Would you describe your parents’ attitude towards your becoming a Muslim and towards wearing the veil in particular?

A: Their reaction was very harsh even before I wore the veil for I abandoned eating all non-Halal meat and drinking wine on social occasions. They could not understand my motives and felt personally offended.

Then when I wore the veil, they were practically shocked, especially my mother who threatened to stop talking to me if I did not back off. The following period was one of a conflict between my faith and my obligations towards my family. In the end, I took off the veil but remained committed to all the other Islamic teachings. Yet the innate call did not cease, and I had to live the same struggle all over for about a year. At the end of it I met a group of German Muslim women who wore veils. I admired their boldness and felt that I should do the same. But this time when my mother knew about it, she had to accept, for there was nothing that could make me change my mind.

Q: How do you see the impact of Islam on your personality?

A: On the personal level, I began to feel a blessed peace of mind and a feeling of relief and security.

This change was due to many reasons, the most important of which are:

First: My knowledge that there is a God Who created this universe and Who runs it in the most perfect manner.Secondly: I had a reason to live and die for and not just to spend my life trying to enjoy materialistic pleasures in this world like most of the individuals in Western societies.

There is also a big difference on the level of human relationships. Muslims are more human, respectful and caring in their relations with others, especially with their relatives and neighbors. They believe that all Muslims are equal and brothers and that they should help each other at the time of need.

Q: In the light of your experience, can you suggest any new propositions regarding the methods of calling especially in the West?

A: I believe that these methods should include translating important Islamic books and publishing Islamic magazines that should be spread among those who have not learned about Islam except what the Western media says. Moreover, I think that the best way to call for Islam is by providing a good example. The people in the West look at what you do and not what you say.

Q: What about the potentials for the Islamic Call in Germany?

A: There are many ways one could call for Islam in Germany whether through the media or by holding seminars and exhibitions. We could also publish Islamic magazines that would reveal the truth of Islam and counteract the Western attack.

Q: How would you describe the general state of Muslims on the international stage?

A: Muslims are still subject to pressure and economic and political oppression in an effort to block out their development for the international society as a whole is aware of the strength and importance of Islam. But if Muslims do not seek to fight back both in theory and practice, Islam will not affect the peoples of Europe.

Q: How do you evaluate the role of Muslim women in the light of what you have learnt about the position of women in Islam?

A: Islam did not deny women their right to have a role in society and the right to learn and work. Moreover, Muslim women have been able to practice their role in an effective manner, and they were able to assert themselves in the society and demand respect and appreciation. But there are a lot of women who choose to honor social traditions that are sometimes contradictory with the Islamic principles, and this calls for an awareness campaign. In this respect, I value the work of certain woman callers who hold seminars to teach women their rights and their role in Islam and to keep them away from imitating Western women even if they were going astray.

Q: Any final word you would like to convey through «Noor Al-Islam»?

A: I would like to urge all Muslims to love one another and unite, for this is their major source of strength in the face of their enemies, and this strength would force the West to respect them and stop considering them as inferior. Unity is strength, and division is but weakness.

The GERMAN SISTER

“HALIMA KRAUSEN ’’:

« I learned about Islam and embraced it when I was a very young girl, and without talking to any Muslim. »

Sister Halima was born in a very religious German family; her grandfather was a priest, and her uncle was a monk.

She learned about Islam and embraced it when she was only 13 years old, without even talking to any Muslim.

Halima is still interested in studying the Arabic language and teaching it. She is also devoted to studying Islamic sciences and calling for Islam.

The story of her embracing of lslam is unique and impressive. It also shows the impact Islam has on the pure souls when we go back to our innate nature and denounce blind imitation. That is why we decided to republish this interview courtesy of the« Q News » Magazine in London.

Q: What made you decide at the age of just 13 to become a Muslim?

A: The process was mostly connected withTawheed , which is also taught inChristianity but it is connected with Jesus and the trinity. I did not think much about the trinity as a child but I thought and felt that there is one God Who created all human beings and that He must have revealed Himself to them in one form or another. Starting from the point that He is the Creator of all human beings, and that He is Just and Loving, it meant that He would give them all equal opportunities and not be connected with one people, the people of Israel, or one person only, Jesus Christ. My reading of other religions at an early age only strengthened this belief. I found in every religion truth and wisdom, and there were things I could not handle, which I thought I would be able to in the course of time. Islamic teaching, I later found out, confirmed all the previous revelations, highlighting the truth inherent in every religion. Islam also confirmed the concept ofTawheed without any compromise as my idea of love, justice and responsibility.

Q: Did you know any Muslims at that time?

A: I came into contact with Islam without Muslims. I got in touch with them after I had discovered Islam. There were not many Muslims then, mostly students at the university. Having accepted Islam, I wanted to know how to read the Quran; so I got someone to write the alphabet for me. The immigrant workers who came later had no more ideas about Islam than myself. But I got books written by orientalists, travelers, and novelists. They were like second hand information.

Q: Since most orientalists tend to be negative about Islam, how did you see Islam?

A: I must have had some vision, some guidance. Everything I found to be negative, I put it into« deep freeze » , at the back of my mind, to sort out when I found more information.

Q: How did your parents react to their 13-year-old daughter embracing another faith?

A: When my mother read my diary, my parents tried to use the law to get me away from Islam. But they were told once you get 13 or 14, you are free to choose your own religion. So they asked the pastor and people like that to convert me - a challenge I accepted with pleasure. I liked discussions. It made me read more deeply into it. My parents must have been disappointed because it was not the result they desired.

Q: How did Muslims react to you - a young girl embracing Islam?

A: The immigrant workers accepted me straight away. As they did not have their families with them, they saw me as a little sister who needed protection. Though they were not themselves practicing Muslims, I felt very safe. They took great care to keep me out of the way of the« funny » people they met or anyone« unreliable » . I used to leave my Islamic books with them because my parents thought they had done their duty if they kept me away from these books.

Q: How did you gain knowledge about Islam without practicing Muslims around you?

A: I tried to find out as much as possible, partly in reaction to what the pastor was telling me and partly because I was keen to learn myself. I wanted to read the Quran and make sense out of it. I memorized the letters of the Arabic alphabet, but I had nothing to read. A teacher of mine brought me a pocket-size Quran from Turkey. I got stuck because I did not know the vowel signs. Thanks to a transliteration of Surat Al-Fatiha in the Book, I was able to reconstruct the vowel sounds and learn to read. I memorized Surat Al-Fatiha, and the smaller Surahs at the end. Nobody ever checked me until I was 18 when I went to the mosque and heard the Imam and discovered my mistakes. I visited the library to read Arabic Grammar. At 17, I got a dictionary from which I learnt the roots of words which have a lot to do with the philosophy of the Arabic Language - that was in the late sixties. Praying too was learnt out of books; some said one thing and others another.

Q: How did you know that what you were learning was right?

A: For a long time I was not really sure what I was doing was right, but Allah accepts whenever you try your best. I knew I was making mistakes; there was nothing wrong with that since my intention was right. I got in touch with Muslims but not scholars. They were students from all over the world who knew more about Islam and practiced more than immigrant workers. As their knowledge was not much besides being mixed with their own ideas from home, I had different impressions of Islam. I had left home to do some office work training. Then I started to go to the mosque. They did not know very much only that which they had learnt at home, but they knew more than the immigrant workers. They practiced more than them, even if they practiced all kinds of things. But they also had their own ideas from back home. So I had all these different impressions of Islam. I had access to a library with genuine books in English, including Yusuf Ali’s translation of the Quran.

I also took part in discussions on Islam, because for three years I was the only one - a woman; often it was the Iman and me behind.

Whenever I did anything there was a general discussion: Should a woman do this or that? Should a woman drive a car or live away from her parents?

Q: Did any one say to you: «Look, you just cannot do that» even when you knew you were right?

A: Yes, but I did not really oppose it straight away except in discussions. I preferred to wait, for I was unsure about confronting somebody who might know better. In the beginning I had a complex, because I thought that Arabs had the advantage of having Arabic as their mother tongue, and they could understand The Quran. But soon I learned that this was not right. Even when I discerned I could do some of the things they said I could not, I did not waste my energy confronting them but waited until I got a little surer about my position.

Q: What is the best way of reading the Quran?

A: The Quran is an eternal revelation, not time bound. It reveals itself to everybody who tries to get close to it. The further you develop the more you understand it. You are not supposed to put it away on the top shelf. That is why it is unlike the Bible. The Quran is not just something you memorize for prayer, but something that has to be read regularly and something you try to get close to. It is like reading a letter that you got today. You open the letter and see what the person is telling you.

Sometimes it is something you feel very strange about, and you do not understand it straight away. Sometimes you have a problem, and you open it, and the solution is there. Even with other books this happens. Before I had any access to The Quran, I would go to the library, and in a book I had read many times before, I would find a passage from The Quran telling me what to do. For example, when I had to eat my mother’s food while I was living at home, I was really desperate. I had no pocket money - not enough to buy my meals. I found that verse in the Quran where it says certain food is forbidden except if you are forced to eat it against your will and you do not eat too much of it; then it is not a sin. I found a solution! When my mother was not looking I would slip the meat to the dog.

Q: How can women find out what the truth is when men with qualifications quote Hadiths which seem to put women down?

A: One of the basic things that the Prophet (upon whom be peace) said - one of the neglectedHadiths - was what most Muslims know in theory and some do not even know that, is that,« acquiring knowledge is a religious duty for every Muslim, man and woman » . If men have more knowledge, or seem to have more knowledge, women need to get more knowledge. The misery in the Islamic world is because the Muslims, especially the women have not followed thatHadith . It is not a matter of waiting for a teacher or until I have time to study.

When I was teaching Arabic I used to tell my students to read three verses in the Quran every day. Some would say three?! No, that is not enough. But if you do that every day for one year, you can imagine how many verses you will read. Reading the translation and looking up the words in the dictionary, you would acquire a lot of knowledge, grammar and vocabulary.

THE AMERICAN MUSLIM SISTER

CINDY DAHER

I could not deny the logic, simplicity, and truth of the absolute Oneness of Allah and the teachings of Islam.

Cindy married a Lebanese Muslim thirteen years ago, but not for any reason that has to do with Islamic principles. Later on, she was fortunate to meet somebody who enlightened her and opened her heart for the guidance of Islam. She became totally convinced after 6 years of debating and discussing.

Then this conviction grew even stronger when it changed to a strong belief and solid commitment that made her husband become committed himself, a phenomenon that has become common among many American Muslim women.

Noor Al-Islam interviewed Cindy while she was visiting her husband’s relatives in Lebanon to tell us the story of her conversion to Islam as well as her wishes and inspirations as a Muslim who carries the mission to call for Islam in her heart and soul. She and her Muslim sisters remain an example and an evidence of what a Muslim is and should be especially to those women who have nothing left from their Islam except what is written in their identity cards.

Q: Tell us about your childhood and your first religious life?

A: I would like at first to welcomeNoor Al-Islam , which I have read some issues of in Detroit, where I live, and came to value its role in promoting and spreading Islam.

I was born in the South American city of Shreveport, Louisiana. My parents divorced when I was four years old. A couple of years later my mother remarried a wonderful man, and a devout Christian (the son of a Baptist minister). I was taught to believe in the basic doctrines of Christianity including the trinity,« the divinity of Jesus » ,« original sin » , and« atonement » , and that the Bible was God’s infallible word. I attended church regularly, was baptized, and took part in the communion. I was taught that without exception, these beliefs brought eternal salvation. To question these« mysteries of God » was a sin, and to doubt these« gospel truths » would bring about my eternal damnation in Hell. Faith was to accept and believe in the unbelievable, so do not ask unanswerable questions.

Q: How were you introduced to Islam in such an environment?

A: I married a Muslim thirteen years ago, and although I had many Muslim friends, I was not in contact with very many faithful Muslim believers. Most of the Muslims I knew neither had the conviction to propagate Islam, nor had the detailed knowledge of the faults of Christian belief to show me the right path. Eight years ago, a new neighbor, who had been raised as a Baptist before converting to Islam and was married to a Muslim man, befriended me.Alhamdulillah , she was knowledgeable, loved Allah and was concerned enough to introduce me to Islam.

Some of my convert friends are extraordinary in that they felt uneasy with Christianity or with Western materialistic values and actively searched for the truth until they found Islam.

I, on the other hand, was not in the beginning searching for anything, and I feel that it was only the Blessings of Allah,Subhanahu wa ta’allah that this knowledgeable and faithful woman came into my life. She provided me with books on comparison religion and the basics of Islam, and to my astonishment, all of my questions, objections, and debates were rebutted or answered beautifully and reasonably.

Q: How did you then become convinced that Islam was the true path?

A: After rereading the Bible, I found that this« infallible word of God » had errors. How could that be - if it actually was the word of God? My only conclusion was that it had been tampered with and corrupted. I also searched for that most important doctrine of Christianity which is a triune god. The prophets of the Bible, including Jesus (A.S.) emphatically stressed that the Lord - our God is ONE. I also looked at the history of Christianity, the church, and the Bible and found much evidence of pagan influence and assimilation.

The All-Merciful, All-Powerful, and All-Just God needed and demanded the punishment of the innocent and sinless Jesus (A.S.) so that he could forgive us of our sins and wrongdoings. If a human judge or leader were to do this, I would consider him corrupt, oppressive, or may be even crazy!

After being convinced of the faults of Christian beliefs, she then guided me to the understanding that Jesus (A.S.) was a created human messenger and was himself submissive to Allah and under His control.

Then, we studied, compared, and read English translation of The Quran, and she taught me some of the history of Islam and struggles of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his pious and pure progeny) and the early Muslims.

I could not deny the truth, simplicity, and logic of the absolute Oneness of Allah (Tawheed ) and said theShahadeh (declaration of faith) with total conviction and love.

I thank Allah for sending this dear friend to me, and I always ask Allah to bless this wonderful woman in this life and especially in the next life for all of her compassion towards me and for leading me to the right path of Islam.

Q: When you declared your Islam and followed the teachings of Islam, did you find any difficulties or trouble from your husband, family, and relatives?

A: When I declared that I was a Muslim, I asked my husband if he would feel embarrassed to be seen with me in public (in America) since I needed to wear the modest dress orhijab . I was so relieved when he said:« Do what you must, but I will be very proud and happy with you if you want to be mahajjebe » . My husband,Alhamdulillah , had become much more knowledgeable and a very good and practicing Muslim.

My Christian family was not pleased by my becoming Muslim but still refused to discuss the issues. I told them:« If I am wrong and Islam is wrong « Astaghfirullah » do you want me to be angry with you on the Judgment Day when God will punish the disbelievers of the truth? Or if the situation is reversed« and it is » I do not want you to blame me for your punishment (for associating others with God). Let’s discuss and search for the truth» . I wrote a poem to try to reach them, and on other occasions, I have tried different means to try to open their minds to the truth. They always refused to consider any other possibility than Christianity, and it hurts me that they are lost, but,Inshallah , I will keep trying to reach them.

Q: Do you remember some of the incidents that you encountered with your relatives?

A: I went once to Louisiana to visit my grandparents, and three of my uncles dropped by. One of them said:« Ha Ha, what is this? You are a Mohammadan, and your husband will have a harem with lots of wives! »

I replied:« Uncle, how many times have you been married? » He said:« Three times » . I asked the next, and he said:« I am now on my fifth » . He then proceeded to curse all of his ex-wives. The third uncle said that he was free now but had also been divorced four times.

I then said:« My husband has no other wives. The situations that you describe sounds to me like sequential polygamy with very little responsibility. Also Islam does not require or promote polygamy but has instead put limits on the practice. A man is not allowed to marry more than four wives and must treat all his wives exactly equally. If he cannot be perfectly just, he must limit himself to one » .

I continued:« I know of no cases, among the many Muslims that I have met, of a man who has three or four wives. I have heard of a couple of cases of two wives, but I have not personally met any. Also, divorce is still a rare occurrence among Muslims. And lastly, if I did become ill or disabled, and my husband felt the need of having another wife, I am secure that he would continue to take care of my needs and my children’s needs. I would not be tossed aside like yesterday’s garbage » . My uncles were speechless.

Q: How do you describe the American’s view of lslam?

A: Americans, in general, are very ignorant about Islam. There is much anti-Islamic propagandas, lies, and stereotyping. Occasionally, we, Muslim women (as we are easily identifiable), are verbally abused. But for the most part, we are not bothered. Sometimes, especially when Americans find we speak their language, they become very curious, and it opens the way for dialogue and interesting questions and even understanding.

Q: What about your current activities for the cause of the Call?

A: I am very fortunate to live in Dearborn, Michigan, with its large population of Muslims. We now have many opportunities for learning and practicing Islam. Being a Muslim is so very precious in the society I live in. All of my beliefs, intentions, thoughts, and actions are centered on the One Almighty Allah. Every deed has a real purpose and a real consequence.

Subhanallah, I now have many good faithful believers as friends including a large and rapidly growing group of convert Muslims. We have formed a supportive organization called United Muslim Women Association or (U.M.W.A.) through which we actively strengthen each other as Muslim women, friends, wives, and mothers. We have similar backgrounds, English is our primary language, and we share a special understanding of the problems and difficulties that we may encounter.

For example, some converts may face severe isolation from former friends and families. Most of us are trying to raise good Muslim children in a Western, anti-Islamic culture. We all need to strive continually and increase our knowledge.Alhamdulillah , we have a good-sized lending library of many of the available books on Islam printed in English. We print a newsletter and are concerned with da’wah work in our community at large. We also try to reach out and find other new or potential converts. We try to make contacts with other English speaking groups. We go to various Islamic Centers and Mosques situated in our area, and some of the Sheikhs come and speak to our group personally. We have access to a growing body of Islamic resources.

Q: Are there significant problems that face the new converts or the new generations of Muslims?

A: Converts (because they had been misled before and therefore are cautious) search, scrutinize, and actively seek knowledge of the truth. We, in general, do not take our religion for granted and are extremely aware of the value of our fight of Islam.

My major concern for the future is that our youth need more Islamic schools to buffer them from the negative and evil influences of a materialistic and hostile society. For example, I have had confrontations with my 10-year-old daughter’s school principal for the last two years over her obligatory fasting for the Month ofRamadan . He told me:« Your daughter has lost one month of her life and education because of following man made rules written for different place and time » .

Our children attend after school Arabic and religion lessons, but they desperately need all day schools to defend them from un-Islamic ideology.

There are also a growing number of 3rd and 4th generation immigrant children who do not know enough Arabic to gain a concrete understanding of their religion without social assistance. There are many obstacles to opening Islamic schools in America, but we must somehow find a way.

Q: How did you find the Muslim women in Lebanon?

A: In fact, I have mixed feelings about the Muslim women in Lebanon and in the other Arab countries as well: I am happy, on the one hand, for the Islamic revival that is adopted by many women who became committed to their religion and to call for it, especially after the previous era that was dominated by the Western cultural attack. But on the other hand, I feel very sorry and even resentful for the fall of many Muslim women who blindly imitate the Western traditions of moral decline.

I felt particularly ashamed of the women I saw dressing indecent clothes and acting in an indecent manner.

I call on these women, from an experienced point of view, to go back to the arms of their religion, and they will really be happy and proud.