The below interview was taken between
NMN and SMYLe (Swansea Muslim Youth
League). The SMYLe Brothers crew invited
some of the brothers from NMN for an
interview on what attracted them to
Islam. NMN has been set up in Swansea
to look after the needs of the increasing
number of new Muslims in the city. The
last few months have seen a sharp increase
in the number of Welsh people embracing
Islam locally.
Q1.
What attracted you to Islam?
Musa:
After 10 years in the British Army,
I was searching for something in my
life, and out of all the other religions,
Islam attracted me the most as there
was only one version of the Qur'an
as opposed to numerous Bibles. The
more I looked into Islam, the more
it agreed with what I believed to
be the Truth.
Q2.
What were your initial views and knowledge
of Islam before you became a Muslim?
Esa:
My brother (Omer) first became a Muslim
when I was 8 years old. At that time
I didn't know much about religion
in general, but al-humdulillah I learnt
a lot about Islam through my brother
and I was taught all the correct things
using reasoning.
Q3.
How has your life changed since you
have become a Muslim?
Hamza:
Dramatically! I truly feel now
I have a purpose to my life and a
direction. Islam has given me an inner
peace and a sense of contentment.
Gibreel:
My life hasn't changed in a big way
yet, but continues to change everyday
in a small way.
Q4.
Did you find the Swansea Muslim community
welcoming?
Musa:
I found the Muslim community to be
very friendly and everyone was helpful.
Esa:
When I became a Muslim, a lot of Muslim
brothers invited me to their homes
and they were very kind towards me.
I have also met many other brothers
in the mosque and have got along with
them very well.
Q5.
Can any changes be made to the Muslim
community to make the brotherhood
better within Swansea?
Hamza:
Having never felt part of a brotherhood
before and now generally feeling part
of one, there is nothing I can think
of.
Q6.
What changes would you personally
like to see to encourage more people
to revert back to Islam?
Gibreel:
An active da'wah centre run not just
by one ethnic group, but a centre
which reflects the diversity of the
Muslim Ummah and its universal appeal
across all racial groups.
Musa:
If there were more advertisements
and lectures. If I had known about
Islam sooner, I would have taken Shahada
earlier.
Q7.
Did you find any obstacles in embracing
Islam?
Hamza:
No obstacles, just the need for patience
when dealing with ignorance!
Q8.
How has your family reacted towards
your decision to embrace Islam?
Esa:
Well all are content with my reversion
to Islam except my father, who isn't
very welcoming with the idea.
Gibreel:
My mother is happy with my decision,
my father at first thought it was
a ridiculous idea but every day he
accepts my decision a little more.
Hamza:
Al-humdulillah, Allah has blessed
me with a very loving family who have
been totally supportive of my choice
to embrace Islam.
Q9.
What are the aims and objectives of
NMN?
Omer:
My aim to act as a support network
for new (and not so new) Muslims locally,
with a longer-term view to expanding
our network to include other parts
of Wales. We aim to help those who
have newly embraced Islam to learn
how to pray and teach them the basic
fundamentals Islam. We hope to give
new Muslims an opportunity to socialise
with each other, and share their experiences.
Finally, we intend to act as an information
source for the families of new Muslims,
who may have concerns, and to allay
any of their fears.
Q10.
Have you any final views that you
would like to put forward?
Esa:
Well, I'd like to thank everybody
who helped us and brought us into
the community, and involved us in
their work.
SMYLe:)
Brothers
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