I think he is fairly pleased with my conversion because he...

I think he is fairly pleased with my conversion because he can see that I am setting more realistic goals. +I have had no major problems with my family. They have accepted me as Muslim as long as it is what I want. Some of them think I'm crazy because I'm wearing the hijab and my husband acts more like an American. We have never gotten into any fights though. We spend as much time as we can with each other in person or by phone. +My family is okay with me.

There was never any problem because I was quiet about my reasons for changing my lifestyle. My parents watched my attitude change in college. I came home with an Afro hairstyle, and they nearly died. I had the first divorce in the family. That was high on their no-no list. By the time they realized TI had a life of my own, they just wished me the best and never have criticized me or Islam. They are just happy I believe in God and have kept good morals and values and passed them on to my sons.

These families were able to make the adjustment to accept their daughter's decision once they felt confident that she would be safe and understood to some extent the intentions and commitment. Perhaps these families were also the kind to let go and let their daughter be an individual with boundaries of her own whether or not she became Muslim.

This does not mean there will not be future relationships to work out; family relationships are always in flux, shifting and repositioning as time and life go on. Acceptance with Reservations Seeing daughters embrace another religious tradition may leave family members feeling as if an unseen but deeply felt chasm separates them. This sense of separation is felt by brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends although the level of acceptance varies among family members.

Some may accept readily; others may not be able to be open at all. Brothers or sisters may be embarrassed to be seen in public with their sister's new mode of dress and cover. Grandparents may not understand how this beloved grandchild could make such a choice, but they may be the ones who maintain contact as may other extended family members. Some families fear their daughter is going to hell for her denial of Christ.

They are pushed theologically to work through the Christian concept of salvation in regard to their daughter, and they struggle to find a satisfying level of comfort concerning this issue. +With the exception of my mother, my family took my conversion in stride.