ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Converts To Islam Antoinette Azim What can I say, Allah (swt) called me to Islam. It seemed to happen so fast, only 28 days passed since I opened my heart to Islam and when I said Shahadah , the happiest day of my life. I grew up in a Catholic family, not just Catholic in name, but practicing also. I went to a Catholic grade school, went to church on a consistent basis, and said my prayers every night.

My mother always hoped for me to become a nun, that was her dream before she met my dad, and I was the youngest of four girls. I thought I was a good Catholic too. I believed. I prayed. But I didnt agree with everything in my religion, which to me seemed ok, it was enough to believe in God, but I also believe in divorce, I dont agree with the church hierarchy, and I dont like the fact that there is a priest between God and me.

But I was brought up Catholic and that was the way it was always going to be. I lived in Russia for two years teaching English. When I was there I went to a Catholic service twice. It was four hours long and they told me I needed to go to confession before I could take communion. These were believers, that wasnt for me. I got no spiritual fulfilment from the Russian Orthodox Church even though the icons are beautiful.

When I came back after two years of not going to church I thought my faith was renewed. The first time I went I actually listened to the Gospel. I continued to go and even found a church when I moved out to DC. I always said I was part German, Polish, Irish and Belgian, but one hundred percent Catholic! Then I met Mounir. This changed my life in many ways, some good, mostly bad, now that I look back I understand that I had to go through all of this to get to the Truth. Mounir is from Morocco.

On our first date he told me about the five pillars of Islam while drinking an Amstel light. I didnt think anything of the Amstel light, but I thought telling me about the five pillars of Islam on a first date is strange. In order to understand my Muslim boyfriend I wanted to understand Islam. I bought a book, and at the same time I bought a book about Catholicism, I wanted to get closer to my faith too. I didnt get into Islam right away, but I started asking a lot of questions.

I spent five weeks in Russia that summer. When I came home I discovered that Mounir didnt miss me as much as I missed him.