Kaiji Wada: A New Japanese Muslim 🕌🇯🇵

There was a time when I sought the meaning of 'life' and 'family relationships.' It was then that a Muslim friend explained the beliefs of Islam to me... Islam quickly found its way into my heart. Back then, I was very much into entertainment, and my ideal self was quite distant from what Islam represents. But Islam managed to fill the void in me. 💫 #NewConvert #IslamInJapan

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By reading just the first two chapters of the Quran, I learned the essence of faith in Allah!

In 2011, I participated in a joint program for youth in Japan and Southeast Asia, spending 53 days with 200 participants from Asia. It was there that I was deeply influenced by Islam. I got acquainted with my husband, who is from Malaysia, and some of my Muslim friends. During my trip to Malaysia, I was amazed to see Muslims living peacefully and harmoniously with each other. I was fortunate to witness their true faces without any prejudice or misconceptions.

Not wanting to be someone who converts to Islam only for marriage, after getting engaged to my husband, I took the opportunity to immerse myself in Islamic culture during three to four years of traveling to Kuala Lumpur and learn more about Islam.

The year 2015 was a challenging period for me. I underwent surgery, and the complete recovery took a year. I was emotionally shattered, thinking that the best time for marriage had slipped away. However, my husband told me, "Accept what you have and be sure that things will get better. Put in all your effort, and I will do whatever I can for you." It was because of his words and constant support that I could overcome that difficult period. I'm confident that his words were rooted in his faith. For this reason, I started reading the Quran and became amazed because by reading just the first two chapters, it taught me what it truly means to have faith in God!

I believe November 7, 2015, was my day. In a lecture session by a preacher and religious scholar, with the presence of 1,200 witnesses, I declared my testimony of faith. He answered my questions about interacting with people of various religions in Japanese society, saying, "As long as you don't contradict the teachings of the Quran, you won't face any problems." He said this with a warm smile and bright eyes. I strongly believe that this statement can be a fundamental solution to the problems faced by Muslims worldwide. This was my last question before embracing Islam, and I think everything is hidden in that.

After the testimony of faith, I felt a deep sense of tranquility because I became part of Islam, and my heart was purified. It was the first time I went out alone after surgery, the first time I met Sister Nurarisa Maryam, who took me to the lecture session, and the first time I realized the nature of God's creation. Truly, that day was my day.

I thank Allah, the brothers and sisters who witnessed my testimony, and my Muslim friends who inspired and guided me to Islam. Although my husband couldn't witness my conversion as he was in Malaysia, he will undoubtedly witness my life as a Muslim, and God willing, we will remain together in paradise.

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🔺 Shimoyama Shiguro: Japan's New Muslim

Islam is fundamentally a way of life, deeply ingrained in every aspect of a Muslim's daily existence. Embracing Islam means embracing a holistic approach to living. Explore more about the journey of Shimoyama Shiguro, a pioneering Japanese Muslim, as he navigates the intersection of faith and culture.

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#IslamInJapan #JapaneseConvert #FaithJourney #CulturalIntersection #HolisticLiving 🕌

🔺 Shimoyama Shiguro and the Spread of Islamic Teachings, Introducing Islam

Reporting from Rahyafte (Comprehensive Platform for Missionaries and New Muslims), according to "Nippon," Shimoyama Shiguro, a newly converted Japanese Muslim who discovered Islam thousands of miles away from his homeland during his travels to Sudan, is now dedicating his life to expanding Islamic teachings and presenting a true image of Islam to his fellow countrymen.

Shiguro, who teaches Islam and the Quran in Tokyo's largest mosque, shares his thoughts: "In my belief, Japanese people currently do not have a proper understanding of Islam. I even think that Japan has inherited to some extent the biased European perspective on Islam."

He adds, "For example, the interpretation of 'Either the Quran or the sword' has taken root in the minds of many Japanese, becoming a significant obstacle to understanding Islam correctly. Especially after the September 11th incident and media activities, Islam has transformed into a 'terrifying' religion for many people."

Shiguro first encountered Islam during his trip to Sudan as a young student. There, he met people who, despite not understanding a word of his speech, treated him with complete hospitality. The Japanese convert reflects, "Africans I met were Muslims, and their dignified behavior and hospitality left a profound impact on me. Later, I was astonished to realize that their extraordinary kindness stemmed from Islamic teachings."

Upon returning to Japan, Shiguro met an Iraqi Muslim student at the University of Tokyo, which was the final catalyst for him to feel the need to embrace Islam. He recalls, "This experience was the starting point for my transformation into the person I am today. Honestly, before becoming a Muslim, I had no belief in God. However, since joining the Islamic community and worshiping alongside Muslims of various ethnicities, I felt the miraculous experience of Islam."

Shiguro emphasizes, "I understood that the reason we pray together in organized rows is rooted in the lofty teachings of Islam regarding justice, equality, and prioritizing the needs of others over our own needs. This belief helps humans break free from their self-centered and selfish thinking."

As an Islamic Studies and Quran professor at the University of Tokyo actively involved in establishing the Islamic Center in Japan, Shiguro highlights, "These teachings imprinted Islam in my heart because Islam places great emphasis on righteous behavior and performing good deeds for others, which is highly valuable." He believes that interacting with Muslims can be a turning point for the Japanese to better understand and appreciate Islam.

The Japanese Muslim also describes mosques, essential symbols of Islam: "Many people visit mosques to admire the artistic elements, but witnessing the beauty of a mosque can also be a starting point for an individual's journey towards Islam."

Shiguro concludes, "I am determined to do everything in my power to remove the dust of doubt and pessimism from the face of Islam in the minds of the Japanese people, providing a correct understanding of this religion."

Islam made its appearance in Japan in the 1920s when around 100 Turkish Muslims migrated from Russia. By the 1930s, the number of Muslims in Japan reached approximately a thousand, with diverse origins. Another wave of migration in the 1980s, primarily from Pakistan and Bangladesh, significantly increased the Muslim population in Japan. Currently, Muslims make up around 120,000 of Japan's 127 million population. #JapaneseMuslim #IslamInJapan #CulturalUnderstanding #SpreadOfIslam 🕌