Conversion Journeys : On Becoming Muslim In The West

There is no religion that is so maligned by the ignorant and the biased as is Islam. Yet, if people only knew, it is the religion of the strong for the weak, the rich for the poor.

These words of Abdullah Archibald Hamilton is very much true when it comes to those who really ponder the real sense of the word Islam. The religion which truly conforms to the very innate nature of human being. Yet, it is also known to be the most misunderstood religion on earth. A religion which has always been accused of being oppressive,backward ,barbaric,and troublesome.

However at the same time, we wonder why more and more people chose to embrace this ‘barbaric’ religion. What drove them to embrace Islam as their way of life? What triggered them to make ‘hijrah’ or an inner space journey towards this religion called Islam?

Conversion Journeys : On Becoming Muslim In The West is a book that seeks to answer these. A book written by Dr. Sulaiman Dufford who is now teaching in IIUM. This book is worth reading for it contains stories that involved people particularly in the West and their life changing experiences after embracing Islam.

I agree when someone says that the sincere stories in this book tell more of reversion than conversion. Reversion to the original faith of the Prophet Adam , father of us all. Not to forget, Jesus, Moses and all other prophets.
I would recommend this book for both Muslims and Non Muslims as the stories in this book are very much thought provoking and also appealing. Among those of my interests would be the article by Joanne McEven on the Sense and Sensitivity: How To Accomodate New Converts and also the article by Sulaiman Dufford himself entitled The Alcoholic Convert. If you have the opportunity, take time and read those stories in this book. I can guarantee that you will feel like you are also part of the great journeys !

Allahu A’lam (Allah Knows Best)

p/s: Other books on reverts that you might want to take a look are:
-Daughters of Another Path(by Carol L Anway), The Sun is Rising From The West and Islam Our Choice =)