It came easy...

It came easy, I didnt miss drinking, I didnt miss feeling intoxicated, I felt great. Not only that, but things I thought were impossible at first started to make sense, like dressing modestly, praying five times a day; it became fulfilling. I realized the more you sacrifice, the closer you are to the Creator. Before I thought it was enough just to believe, but now I understand that in order to be close to God I need to live my life the way He intended.

Two weeks after my first visit to the mosque I had a Friday off of work, something that never happens. I decided to go to Friday prayer by myself. I dont know what force took me there, but I went. There was Sohair from Egypt. She was so excited to see me back. She showed me how to perform ablution and how to pray. After prayer we went down for lunch and she introduced me to Hayat. Ill never forget that conversation. She asked me why I was there and what was holding me back.

I started crying, I couldnt hold it in, and I didnt even know why I was crying. She took my hand and said, Its ok, Allah calls whom he wants. Those words changed my life. I went home after that and was in a cloud for the rest of the day. I started praying that day. It was March 2, 2001. I was helping my friend move and as we were driving it just hit me that Allah (swt) had called ME. The feeling of peace from that moment on was so incredible. I continued to go to Friday prayer, this time at AU.

The first day I walked out of the prayer room and Yasmin, the president of the MSA, was standing there waiting for me. She was so excited that I was there and started asking me questions. I knew that I believed in the Oneness of God and Mohammed his Prophet (pbuh), but I didnt know what to do with this belief I was CATHOLIC! I went to talk to a priest, he was very nice, but didnt know much about Islam. He told me that Catholics respect Muslims because they are people of the book.

I left feeling good because I hadnt wavered in my belief, after all, I was quoting from the Quran to a priest. But the biggest test was telling my mother. I called her on a Sunday night. I was so scared. I was trying to convince myself that it would be easier just to stay Catholic than to have to tell my mother about this. But I knew that I had found the Truth and there was no turning back now.