Monday, Sep 21, 2009
Gulf News
Dubai: It was not an easy journey for Abdul Rahman to embrace Islam; one which raised many questions and doubts but eventually helped him to find the right path in his life.
Abdul Rahman is yet to face his practising Hindu parents in India with his choice to become a Muslim "revert".
Some people like Abdul Rahman prefer to refer to themselves as reverts because they believe they are born as Muslims.
The 23-year-old sales coordinator was inspired by what he saw as the practicality of Islam and the unity among its believers. "Islam itself is very simple and straightforward with no complex doctrines.
"I just felt empty and completely unconvinced of my earlier practices and had so many questions unanswered," he said.
He ventured to the UAE around eight months ago to start a career here while also searching for a meaning to life and existence, he said.
While living in Chennai, India he was surrounded by Hindu, Christian and Muslim communities yet his previous knowledge of Islam was basic.
"The methodology offered in Islam is what puts the person on the right path. You learn unity when you see people of different social, economic, and cultural backgrounds pray side by side five times a day to one God.
The fact that it's divided into five times a day teaches the person time management and punctuality," he said.
Although he recently embraced Islam, Abdul Rahman knows this is the path for the rest of his life and enjoys the spirituality of fasting his first Ramadan.
Before embracing Islam, Abdul Rahman thoroughly studied Islam by researching it in books and through lectures and debates by the Islamic Indian scholar Dr Zakir Naik, who he had the opportunity to meet him during his lecture-visit to Dubai this Ramadan.
"I was little scared and anxious when I first said my Shahada [testimony of faith]. I hope my parents will come to understand my decision once I visit them in India," he said.
By Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2009. All rights reserved.
