I converted young too. I was 15. My parents were very liberal and never really brought me up in any one religion. My mom was brought up as a Protestant and is now agnostic, and my dad calls himself a "recovering Catholic". So, I had a lot of room to explore. I was always fascinated by religion and philosophy, and began reading the Qur'an at 15. I read it cover to cover, did some research, talked to some people, and decided that this was the way to go, and I couldn't be happier.

It is difficult sticking out of the crowd so much. I'm white, and everyone I pray with is Middle Eastern. Sometimes I feel very self-conscious. Someone even once said to me "You're Muslim? You don't look Muslim." I wanted to smack them in the head so badly, but I restrained myself .

But I definitely know where you're coming from.