At this time I knew absolutely nothing about Islam.

At this time I knew absolutely nothing about Islam. All my reading (on Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Sikhism, etc) seemed to have taken me down every path EXCEPT Islam. So when I asked him about HIS religion he said: It is a beautiful religion, a simple religion, part of life. His quiet, composed, assured conviction struck me.

Here was someone who was so quietly certain about his religion that it needed nothing more than these simple few words to provide an answer, an answer that seemed whole and complete. And here was someone who described his religion as beautiful. I had never encountered this before. Religion had always been a duty, or an institution, something to be learned or endured, something burdensome and complicated and problematic not something beautiful.

It struck my heart in a way I do not really understand. But I have to say that it was one of those defining moments of ones life something irreversible happened. So then it began. I decided to try and learn about Islam. I asked around, tentatively at first I bought books and read, I browsed websites, and I started to scan my environment for anything Islamic not difficult living in Brunswick, Melbourne. I went to an information day at Preston mosque.

I obtained a copy of the Quran from a book sale at the Islamic Council of Victoria. The more I read the Quran the more I became convinced of the truth of the Quranic revelations. I read books on the life of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and became convinced that he was the last in a line of prophets before him, and a true messenger of Allah. I tried fasting in Ramadan and saw it as a real test of whether or not I meant business. But the experience strengthened my intent.

I discovered for myself the benefits, and I felt one with the brotherhood and sisterhood of all fasting Muslims around the world. But the most powerful experience for me at this time was discovering the act of prayer. I bought a book which taught me how to pray.. and I have to say that from the moment I first bowed in prayer in the Muslim way, I felt connected to my Creator, for the first time in my life, and I wept with joy.

Ive heard many new Muslims say what Im about to say but it was so true for me. From the time I opened my mind to the possibility of becoming a Muslim, I kept encountering things that spurred me on. And it was as if they were put there especially for me. And one thing would lead to another. A newspaper article might lead to a website.