🌟 "I Found True Happiness After Embracing Islam"

✍️ By Masoumeh Taheri

🔸 Stoyana Lubita Abrado, now known as Zahra after converting to Islam, hails from Timișoara, Romania. A former minority Serbian in her country, she earned a scholarship in dentistry and now actively participates in humanitarian camps. Dr. Zahra, a member of the New Muslims Association and the Rahyafte Institute, shared her inspiring journey with us.

🔴 How did you discover Islam?
💬 "I met Muslim students from various countries at my university—Palestine, Iraq, Kuwait, and Sudan. Their good manners and calm demeanor piqued my curiosity. I began reading books about Islam and, by my second semester, I embraced the faith."

🔴 Why did you choose to come to Iran?
💬 "After converting, I faced challenges learning Islamic rulings and practices. I later met Iranian students on a research trip and became their translator. This connection led me to transfer my studies to Iran to deepen my understanding of Islamic culture. Initially, I planned a temporary stay, but due to family, financial, and religious reasons, I decided to remain."

🔴 Did your family accept your conversion?
💬 "My family, being Orthodox Christians, feared my decision. They assumed I was influenced by extremism or hypnotized by a Muslim partner. Over time, they saw that my behavior remained unchanged, and their fears eased. Interestingly, my grandmother, who was deeply religious, embraced Islam after seeing its similarity to her beliefs."

🔴 What did Islam give you?
💬 "A sense of happiness that transcends time and place. After converting, I discovered a deep inner peace and contentment, even in solitude."

🔴 Was wearing the hijab challenging?
💬 "At first, I didn't wear the hijab due to police restrictions in Romania. However, I dressed modestly and always carried a scarf for use outside the university. Two years later, I fully embraced the hijab as a core Islamic practice."

🔴 Which Quranic verses resonate with you most?
💬 "The verse about holding firmly to Allah’s rope gives me and my fellow converts great strength. It reminds us to stay steadfast amidst life's challenges."

🔴 What’s the biggest challenge for new Muslims in Romania?
💬 "Raising children in a non-Islamic environment is tough. Other challenges are manageable, but preserving Islamic values in a secular society is a real struggle."

🔴 Any memories from your first visit to Mashhad?
💬 "I had just arrived in Iran and didn’t speak Persian. During a student trip to Imam Reza’s shrine, I was told my first three prayers would be answered. The peaceful atmosphere made me lose track of time—I only wanted to stay and gaze at the shrine."

🔴 What do Romanians think about Iran and Shia Islam?
💬 "Sadly, their views are shaped by biased media. They perceive Iran as a land of extremism, filled with violence and terrorism. However, focusing on cultural similarities, such as family values, could change these misconceptions."

🌐 Full story: 🔗 Read more
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