Rahyafte (The Guided Ones)
🔺 "New Muslim Lady in Iceland" Although I didn't receive positive feedback from my family and friends after converting to Islam, but... Read more about my journey: rahyafteha.ir/32459/ 🌐 Follow our English content for more: @rahyafte_en #NewMuslim #IcelandicConvert…
🌟 "Discovering Islam in Iceland: A Journey of Faith"
In the enchanting land of Iceland, I came into this world in 1976. Raised in the official religion of the country, Protestantism, my family's faith never played a fundamental role in my upbringing. Despite attending Sunday church classes, summer camps, and bedtime prayers with my grandmother, religion didn't have a prominent place in our lives.
In Icelandic tradition, around the age of 14, adolescents undergo a special ceremony to formally embrace the Christian faith. At that time, I grappled with a spiritual void and questioned my complete faith in Christianity. After much contemplation, I realized that denying God's existence was an impossibility for me, even if it meant not participating in the ceremony.
To prepare for the ceremony, I attended religious classes and church services regularly. However, the church failed to fill the intellectual gap in my faith. Despite this, I found contentment in sporadic prayers without religion playing a significant role in my life.
Islam, an unknown minority in Iceland, was unfamiliar to me during my childhood. However, Christianity and Judaism were taught in school. The intertwining of Christian and Jewish history led to the curious perception of Islam as the religion of Muhammad and its followers referred to as "Mohammadiyya." Even in recent months, I've come across these names in the media.
My knowledge of Islam was limited to information presented by the media, which unfortunately did not portray a positive image. Fortunately, my view of Islam was never tainted with hatred or disgust. Perhaps this was influenced by my friend's journey as an exchange student in Indonesia, where he shared positive experiences with Muslims. However, it wasn't until my studies in the United States in 1997 that I had close encounters with Muslims.
During my time in the U.S., I engaged in unbiased conversations about Islam, driven by a newfound curiosity. These discussions were pivotal for me. Initially captivated by fascinating aspects of Islam, my excitement waned as I encountered concepts that I struggled to understand or accept.
In my quest to comprehend the complexities of Islam, I almost convinced myself that I didn't need to convert, that a change in lifestyle would suffice. I was filled with fear and confusion. At times, Islam seemed like my lost truth, urging me to submit to God, while at other times, I faced challenges that altered my perception.
Eventually, I cleared my mind, embraced Islam, and recited the Shahadah in the presence of four Muslim sisters and online witnesses. Post-conversion, I encountered both beauty and challenges. I strive to deepen my understanding of Islam to become a better Muslim. Despite lacking positive feedback from family and friends, I am confident that I made the right decision, and I am forever grateful to God for guiding me towards the truth. 🌸🤲 #JourneyToIslam #FaithDiscovery #IcelandicConvert #IslamInIceland #NewBeginnings
@rahyafte_en
In the enchanting land of Iceland, I came into this world in 1976. Raised in the official religion of the country, Protestantism, my family's faith never played a fundamental role in my upbringing. Despite attending Sunday church classes, summer camps, and bedtime prayers with my grandmother, religion didn't have a prominent place in our lives.
In Icelandic tradition, around the age of 14, adolescents undergo a special ceremony to formally embrace the Christian faith. At that time, I grappled with a spiritual void and questioned my complete faith in Christianity. After much contemplation, I realized that denying God's existence was an impossibility for me, even if it meant not participating in the ceremony.
To prepare for the ceremony, I attended religious classes and church services regularly. However, the church failed to fill the intellectual gap in my faith. Despite this, I found contentment in sporadic prayers without religion playing a significant role in my life.
Islam, an unknown minority in Iceland, was unfamiliar to me during my childhood. However, Christianity and Judaism were taught in school. The intertwining of Christian and Jewish history led to the curious perception of Islam as the religion of Muhammad and its followers referred to as "Mohammadiyya." Even in recent months, I've come across these names in the media.
My knowledge of Islam was limited to information presented by the media, which unfortunately did not portray a positive image. Fortunately, my view of Islam was never tainted with hatred or disgust. Perhaps this was influenced by my friend's journey as an exchange student in Indonesia, where he shared positive experiences with Muslims. However, it wasn't until my studies in the United States in 1997 that I had close encounters with Muslims.
During my time in the U.S., I engaged in unbiased conversations about Islam, driven by a newfound curiosity. These discussions were pivotal for me. Initially captivated by fascinating aspects of Islam, my excitement waned as I encountered concepts that I struggled to understand or accept.
In my quest to comprehend the complexities of Islam, I almost convinced myself that I didn't need to convert, that a change in lifestyle would suffice. I was filled with fear and confusion. At times, Islam seemed like my lost truth, urging me to submit to God, while at other times, I faced challenges that altered my perception.
Eventually, I cleared my mind, embraced Islam, and recited the Shahadah in the presence of four Muslim sisters and online witnesses. Post-conversion, I encountered both beauty and challenges. I strive to deepen my understanding of Islam to become a better Muslim. Despite lacking positive feedback from family and friends, I am confident that I made the right decision, and I am forever grateful to God for guiding me towards the truth. 🌸🤲 #JourneyToIslam #FaithDiscovery #IcelandicConvert #IslamInIceland #NewBeginnings
@rahyafte_en