So I'm going to visit the local masjid today...

[Who Am I?]

... and I have to admit I am a bit nervous about it. I think I know what I want to discuss, but I'm mainly worried about what kind of reception I will get. I'm not sure what the brothers will think of an obviously non-Muslim white guy entering their holy place of worship. Part of this will be a test to see if I get a good reaction. I don't want to worship somewhere that I don't feel comfortable. Their reaction will play a big part in determining where I go from here...

[ProudMuslimSis]

WOW! That is great!

I am sure the local masjid will be delighted to have you as a member.

[Ramadhan]

salam,

Did you call in advance so there will be someone who can answer your question, or are you just going to visit to have a look around?

Anyway, I wish you a pleasant and positive experience.

[Who Am I?]

salam,

Did you call in advance so there will be someone who can answer your question, or are you just going to visit to have a look around?

Anyway, I wish you a pleasant and positive experience.

I emailed the brother I've been talking to so I could make sure he was going to be there. He said he would be, so at least someone will be there and I won't look like a Federal agent snooping around...

[Perseveranze]

Allah(swt) guides who he wills, Inshallah that will be the case for you

[Ğħαrєєвαħ]

Salaam/peace Just a Guy

I hope you enjoy your visit and feel comfortable with the experience and visit itself..

All the best!

[aadil77]

... and I have to admit I am a bit nervous about it. I think I know what I want to discuss, but I'm mainly worried about what kind of reception I will get. I'm not sure what the brothers will think of an obviously non-Muslim white guy entering their holy place of worship. Part of this will be a test to see if I get a good reaction. I don't want to worship somewhere that I don't feel comfortable. Their reaction will play a big part in determining where I go from here...

you might get a few looks here and there but don't mind them, its not uncommon to have white people in a mosque

just relax and hopefully all will go well - they have a duty to welcome you inside

[Reflections]

Have fun..and don't worry the brothers won't bite!

[GuestFellow]

... and I have to admit I am a bit nervous about it. I think I know what I want to discuss, but I'm mainly worried about what kind of reception I will get. I'm not sure what the brothers will think of an obviously non-Muslim white guy entering their holy place of worship. Part of this will be a test to see if I get a good reaction. I don't want to worship somewhere that I don't feel comfortable. Their reaction will play a big part in determining where I go from here...

You'll be fine.

[Ghazalah]

A man took Shahadah at my local masjid last Friday after Jumah salah and he was then bombarded with hugs after I expect that you shall get a good reception most brothers at the Masjid will be glad to help in any way possible! Let us know how it goes!

[Tyrion]

Just a bit of advice... Don't let the Muslims deter you or affect your judgement of Islam... I think it was Yusuf Islam (but I could be wrong) who said something along the lines of, "I thank God that I studied Islam before I met the Muslims.." Having said that though, I'm sure they'll be more than welcoming. Generally mosques and Muslims are warm and easy to get along with. They should be willing to listen to you and help you out.

[Revert 2010]

Salaam, good luck bro am sure they will welcome you with open arms : )

[Flame of Hope]

... and I have to admit I am a bit nervous about it. I think I know what I want to discuss, but I'm mainly worried about what kind of reception I will get. I'm not sure what the brothers will think of an obviously non-Muslim white guy entering their holy place of worship. Part of this will be a test to see if I get a good reaction. I don't want to worship somewhere that I don't feel comfortable. Their reaction will play a big part in determining where I go from here...

Just a Guy is going to the masjid?!!

Aha!!! I am sooooooo delighted to hear this news! Yayyyy!!!

I can understand that you are scared and nervous but have no fear. Flame is here. lol.

I want you to know that you have been in my prayers..... Remember you told us that you could do with all the help you could get?

So when you go to the masjid, just think to yourself that the whole IB Towners are coming along with you..... well, you can imagine that, can't you? Besides, I'm sure everyone of us would be going along with you in spirit..... cheering you on.

We're with you.... every step of the way.

[Just_A_Girl13]

Salam brother,

I'm sure the brothers will be happy to welcome you. Some of the nicest people I know are Muslims, after all. Inshallah you will have a good experience and the brothers will answer any questions you have. Good luck, and peace be with you.

[Muslim Woman]

Salaam/Peace

.... I won't look like a Federal agent snooping around...

hmmm I was just going to write that . Some Muslims may suspect that u are not really interested about Islam but
try to collect info about them .

But as already said , dont judge Islam by the behaviour of Muslims. Yusuf Islam ( Cat Stevens ) said , he personally
did not know any Muslim before embracing Islam [ thanks God , I am happy that he did not ].

It is said that Islam is the best religion with worst follwers So , read Quran , ask God to help u.

[Who Am I?]

"What if everything you've ever been told is wrong?" (I'll come back to this in the end)

Well, I am back and I have to say that it was an enlightening experience. I was REALLY nervous at first, almost to the point of puking when I first got there. I went in the bathroom first thing and literally almost threw up right there, I was so nervous, but I perservered. I've been given a lot to think about over the next few days. I haven't taken the shahada yet but I feel like I am closer to that than ever. I still want to learn a bit more and make an informed choice instead of just jumping into something ignorantly and then deciding that I really don't want to do it.

Anyway, I met the brother and we ended up talking for about two hours. I told him why I was there and what I was looking for; pretty much my whole life story and why I am looking at Islam as a solution. He gave me a lot to think about, in particular one thing he said resonated with me. I was talking about how I don't have any idea as to what my purpose in life is and why I am here, and he said that we are all created by Allah solely to worship Him. Now I have never even thought about that being my purpose in life, but maybe I've been looking at this whole thing all wrong. I've been trying to find something tangible, something I can look at and say "yeah, this is me; this is who I am." But maybe I can't do that. Maybe I'm not supposed to do that. I have to admit that that one thing right there really makes a lot of sense to me right now as I type this.

I'll admit that I'm still a little scared, but not so much of Islam anymore. I'm more worried now about what my family and friends are going to think when I tell them I've converted (which I admit that I am pretty close to doing now). But, I figure I can worry about that later. For now I want to keep educating myself and learning all that I can about this way of life. I told the brother that if I do this, I want to do it right, and do it for real, and not just half commit and then back out. He gave me a lot of stuff to read and gave me his card and said I could call him if I had any questions. He even invited me to a few events they are having this weekend, so I might go check those out. I want to surround myself with the Islamic lifestyle and really see how much of a difference it can make in someone's life.

I feel more at peace now than I did before I went in there. It's like a big weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. No, I am not a Muslim yet, but my eyes are open and my ears are listening. I appreciate all the prayers and support from those who offered it. I think I've taken a big step into a larger world. I think that finally the darkness is fading, but I'm not there yet. Maybe everything I have been told my whole life IS wrong. This is something I have to digest, and I admit it may take a little while...

Tonight I will pray to Allah and ask Him to guide me closer to Him...

TL-DR - Met with the brother at the masjid and gained a lot more understanding. Not a Muslim yet, but will probably be one soon.

[MustafaMc]

I am glad that things went well for you. You say that you were scared, but I see a tremendous amount of courage. I too am Caucasian and most often the only white guy in a masjid. It took me a long time to get over feeling so different from everyone else. I advise against telling family and friends too soon before you are well grounded in the Islamic faith. Insha'Allah I will be praying for you.

[جوري]

we are all created by Allah solely to worship Him.

And Allah swt has made it so that even standing by the ocean to admire its creation and say 'Glory be to Allah' as an act of worship..

wishing you well guy..

peace

[Who Am I?]

I am glad that things went well for you. You say that you were scared, but I see a tremendous amount of courage. I too am Caucasian and most often the only white guy in a masjid. It took me a long time to get over feeling so different from everyone else. I advise against telling family and friends too soon before you are well grounded in the Islamic faith. Insha'Allah I will be praying for you.

Right, well I plan on taking the shahada soon. I don't know when yet. I figure I will know when the time is right.

Anyway, the brother I talked to said they have people from all over the world at the masjid. There weren't many people there today, but usually on the weekends there are more. So I will try going there more to meet different people.

[ProudMuslimSis]

Maybe everything I have been told my whole life IS wrong. This is something I have to digest, and I admit it may take a little while...

Try not to dwell on the past too much and think of this day as a new day and a new start.
I don't think we need to put down other beliefs to elevate Islam. It can stand on it's own.
Enjoy the journey of discovery!