Why are so Many Women Turning to Islam?

Re: Why are so Many Women Turning to Islam

I believe the number of reverts is rising because the end is near, somewhere within them selves they have asked GOD to guide them and proof here they are....looollll
 
Re: Why are so Many Women Turning to Islam

I really do love stories of people finding Islam... I myself have only recently reverted, and find that reading other people's stories makes me feel understood, as so many of us have experienced the same feelings and questions prior to finding the truth. Thank you for sharing them.
 
Re: Why are so Many Women Turning to Islam

Amanda said:
I really do love stories of people finding Islam... I myself have only recently reverted, and find that reading other people's stories makes me feel understood, as so many of us have experienced the same feelings and questions prior to finding the truth. Thank you for sharing them.
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Indonesian Rocker Celebrities Convert to Islam, Allahhuakbar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Yh0lWuaDH8

CHRISTIAN INDONESIAN REVERTS TO ISLAM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L1DuHWk5lQ

Indonesian Christian Couple convert Islam in Ramadhan 2008!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBsulUP6aCg

European Man convert to Islam in Indonesia!, Allahuakbar!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUDmr6dD9eM

Japanese Man converted to Islam by Indonesian in Tokyo!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLQze2DUwGo
 
Re: Why are so Many Women Turning to Islam

These are British women who accepted Islam and they're experiences. Very inspiring!

BRITISH WOMAN REVERTED TO ISLAM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUtUA90_WrU

Two british Women of different colours convert to ISLAM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEfMcPQfv7w

British Judge converts to Islam 1/6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnsIeh_s05g

British Judge converts to Islam 2/6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By43KHZoM-o

British Judge converts to Islam 3/6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Niud2MHDXrc

British Judge converts to Islam 4/6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHFD_YHDerw

British Judge converts to Islam 5/6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icH18hYPqsI

Mexican Woman Converted To ISLAM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_b2K9dpXsI
 
Re: Why are so Many Women Turning to Islam

Women & Islam: The rise and rise of the convert


by Richard Peppiatt


Source: The Independent



Record numbers of young, white British women are converting to Islam, yet many are reporting a lack of help as they get used to their new religion, according to several surveys.

As Muslims celebrated Eid last week and hundreds of thousands from around the world converged on Mecca for the Haj, it emerged that of the 5,200 Britons who converted to Islam last year, more than half are white and 75 per cent of them women.

In the past 10 years some 100,000 British people have converted to Islam, of whom some three-quarters are women, according to the latest statistics. This is a significant increase on the 60,000 Britons in the previous decade, according to researchers based at Swansea University.

While the number of UK converts accelerates, many of the British women who adopt Islam say they have a daily struggle to assimilate their new beliefs within a wider culture that both implicitly and explicitly positions them as outsiders, regardless of their Western upbringing.

More than three-quarters told researchers they had experienced high levels of confusion after conversion, due to the conflicting ways Islam was presented to them. While other major religions have established programmes for guiding new believers through the rigours of their faith, Islam still lacks any such network, especially outside the Muslim hubs of major cities.
Many mosques still bar women from worship or provide scant resources for their needs, forcing them to rely on competing cultural and ideological interpretations within books or the internet for religious support.

A recent study of converts in Leicester, for example, found that 93 per cent of mosques in the region recognised they lacked services for new Muslims, yet only 7 per cent said they were making efforts to address the shortfall.

Many of the young women – the average age of conversion is 27 – are also coming to terms with experiences of discrimination for the first time, despite the only visible difference being a headscarf. Yet few find easy sanctuary within the established Muslim population, with the majority forming their closest bonds with fellow converts rather than born Muslims.

Kevin Brice, author of the Swansea study A Minority Within a Minority, said to be the most comprehensive study of British Muslim converts, added: “White Muslim converts are caught between two increasingly distant camps. Their best relationships remain with other converts, because of their shared experiences, while there is very little difference between the quality of their relationship with other Muslims or non-Muslims.

“My research also found converts came in two types: some are converts of convenience, who adopt the religion because of a life situation such as meeting a Muslim man, although the religion has little discernible impact on their day-to-day lives. For others it is a conversion of conviction where they feel a calling and embrace the religion robustly.

“That’s not to say the two are mutually exclusive – sometimes converts start out on their religious path through convenience and become converts of conviction later on.”

Another finding revealed by the Leicester study was that despite Western portraits of Islam casting it as oppressive to women, a quarter of female converts were attracted to the religion precisely because of thestatus it affords them.

Some analysts have argued that dizzying social and cultural upheavals in Britain over the past decades have meant that far from adopting an alien way of life, some female Muslim converts are re-embracing certain aspects of mid-20th-century Britain, such as rigid gender demarcation, rather than feeling expected to juggle career and family.

The first established Muslim communities started in Britain in the 1860s, when Yemani sailors and Somali labourers settled around the ports of London, Cardiff, Liverpool and Hull. Many married local women who converted to Islam, often suffering widespread discrimination as a result.

They also acted as a bridge between the two cultures, encouraging understanding among indigenous dwellers and helping to integrate the Muslim community they had joined. Today, there is growing recognition among community leaders that the latest generation of female converts has an equally vital role to play in fostering dialogue between an increasingly secular British majority and a minority religion, as misunderstood as it is vilified.

Kristiane Backer, 45
Television presenter and author, London

I converted to Islam in 1995 after Imran Khan introduced me to the faith. At the time I was a presenter for MTV. I used to have all the trappings of success, yet I felt an inner emptiness and somewhat dissatisfied in my life.

The entertainment industry is very much about “if you’ve got it, flaunt it”, which is the exact opposite to the more inward-oriented spiritual attitude of my new faith. My value system changed and God became the centre point of my life and what I was striving towards.

I recognise some new converts feel isolated but, despite there being even fewer resources when I converted than there are now, it isn’t so much an issue I’ve faced. I’ve always felt welcomed and embraced by the Muslims I met and developed a circle of friends and teachers. It helps living in London, because there is so much to engage in as part of the Muslim community. Yet, even in the capital you can be stared at on the Tube for wearing a headscarf. I usually don’t wear one in the West except when praying. I wear the scarf in front of my heart though!

I always try to explain to people that I’ve converted to Islam, not to any culture. Suppression of women, honour killings or forced marriages are all cultural aberrations, not Islamic ones. Islam is also about dignity and respect for yourself and your femininity. Even in the dating game, Muslim men are very respectful. Women are cherished as mothers, too – as a Muslim woman you are not expected to do it all.”

Amy Sall, 28
Retail assistant, Middlesbrough

I’d say I’m still a bit of a party animal – but I’m also a Muslim. I do go out on the town with the girls and I don’t normally wear my headscarf – I know I should do, but I like to do my hair and look nice! I know there are certain clothes I shouldn’t wear either, even things that just show off your arms, but I still do. My husband would like me to be a better Muslim – he thinks drinking is evil – so it does cause rows.

I haven’t worshipped in a mosque since I got married, I find it intimidating. I worry about doing something wrong; people whispering because they see my blonde hair and blue eyes. Middlesbrough is a difficult place to be a Muslim who isn’t Asian – you tend to be treated like an outsider. Once, I was out wearing my headscarf and a local man shouted abuse. It was weird because I’m white and he was white, but all he saw was the scarf, I suppose. It did make me angry. My family were surprisingly fine with me converting, probably because they thought it would rein me in from being a bit wild.

Nicola Penty-Alvarez, 26
Full-time mother, Uxbridge

I was always interested in philosophy and the meaning of life and when I came across Islam it all just clicked. In the space of four or five months I went from going to raves to wearing a headscarf, praying five times a day and generally being quite pious – I did occasionally smoke though.

I felt very welcomed into the Muslim community, but it was a mainly white convert community. My impression of the Asian community in west London was that women felt sidelined and were encouraged to stay at home and look after the men rather than attend mosque. I think this was more a cultural than religious thing, though.

Non-Muslims certainly treat you differently when you’re wearing a headscarf – they’re less friendly and as a smiley person I found that hard. After a year-and-a-half of being a Muslim I stopped. I remember the moment perfectly. I was in a beautiful mosque in Morocco praying beside an old lady and something just came over me. I thought: ‘What the hell am I doing? How have I got into this?’ It just suddenly didn’t feel right. Needless to say my husband, who was a fellow convert, wasn’t impressed. He remained devout and it put a lot of strain on our relationship. We split up, but are on amicable terms now. I’m not really in contact with the Muslim friends I made – we drifted apart.

I don’t regret the experience. There is so much that I learnt spiritually that I’ve kept and I haven’t gone back to my hard partying ways.

Donna Tunkara
Warehouse operative, Middlesbrough

I was a bit of a tearaway growing up – drinking, smoking, running away from home and being disrespectful to my parents. I converted 10 years ago because I met a Muslim man but I’ve probably become more devout than him.

Sometimes, I miss going shopping for clothes to hit the town and then going home and getting ready with my mates, having a laugh. The thing is no one is forcing me not to – it’s my choice.
It did come as a shock to my family, who are Christian. They’ve not rejected me, but they find it difficult to understand. I feel bad because I don’t now attend weddings, funerals or christenings because they’re often at pubs and clubs and I won’t step inside.

There needs to be more resources for women who convert. I know some mosques that won’t allow women in. But in the Koran there is an emphasis on women being educated. I’ve learnt about the religion through my husband’s family and books – if you want support you have to look for it. It’s taken time to regain an identity I’m comfortable with. Because I’m mixed race and a Muslim ,people don’t see me as British – but what’s important is that I know who I am.
 
Re: Why are so Many Women Turning to Islam

Mashallah, All praise is due to Allah for guiding them to the truth.
May Allah help fix the intentions of those who have done it for the men, and show them the true beauty of Islam.
These stories are inspirational to any non-Muslim person. No ones forced to become Muslim, but once they realize the harmony of the religion of Allah, Inshallah they will change.
 
Re: Why are so Many Women Turning to Islam

Great Post :) I have heard many people tell me that after they wear hijab they are more respected by men, men even hold open doors for them ect. compared to when they weren't Muslim.

Salaam :)
 
Re: Why are so Many Women are Turning to Islam

My theory as to why more women than men are converting to Islam is that many non-Muslim women meet Muslim men, and their Muslim partner encourages them to convert to Islam.
 
Re: Why are so Many Women are Turning to Islam

fromelsewhere said:
My theory as to why more women than men are converting to Islam is that many non-Muslim women meet Muslim men, and their Muslim partner encourages them to convert to Islam.
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That´s unfortunately very common opinion. It causes endless situations where people again and again ask me as "Oh so you reverted because of a man?" and I have to explain again and again that no, not because of any man but because of Allah.

:mmokay: Any idea how annoying it could to be?
 
Re: Why are so Many Women Turning to Islam

When the women find that Islam is such a true religion of God that the difference of man and woman is made on perfectly just bases. both are given rights on the bases of just causes. Women gets safety, security and an honorable status which is not given to her in man-made ways of life. then she will surely choose Islam.
 
Re: Why are so Many Women Turning to Islam

fromelsewhere said:
My theory as to why more women than men are converting to Islam is that many non-Muslim women meet Muslim men, and their Muslim partner encourages them to convert to Islam.
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Whilst that maybe the case for some, the vast majority choose to convert to Islam after researching and looking into it properly for themselves. Those that converted just to marry normally do not last as Muslims as they were never proper Muslims by heart in the first place.

Allah guides whom he wants and if one looks into Islam properly with an open heart then there is no doubt they will be inclined towards it.

Please do watch the many videos in this thread and on the internet to find out for yourself why many Women convert to Islam. These women are more than happy to give their story as to why they converted.

It is always better to research and ask than to assume and "hypothesise". So what is your story? Why are you here? Have you looked into Islam properly for yourself?
 
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Re: Why are so Many Women Turning to Islam

^ That´s so true. Every times when people say to me that of their minds I became a Muslim because of a man, it feels like they like to nullify my years long research about Islam. It feels bad. It also feels like they wouldn´t appreciate my intelligence. Maybe it also tells quite much about how they see women and their intelligence in general.
 
Re: Why are so Many Women Turning to Islam

sister herb said:
^ That´s so true. Every times when people say to me that of their minds I became a Muslim because of a man, it feels like they like to nullify my years long research about Islam. It feels bad. It also feels like they wouldn´t appreciate my intelligence. Maybe it also tells quite much about how they see women and their intelligence in general.
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Unfortunately many people are quick to make baseless assumptions and opinions based on the stereotypes. For example there is still a notion amongst the ignorant that that vast the majority of women cover because they are forced to by their husband or families. This could not be further from the truth. HBut have they actually done their research and/or asked these women why they cover? No, they would rather go with the ignorant stereotype because its easier.

Another example is the fact that more people are turning to Islam than any other religion or faith on Earth. The excuse the ignorant come out with is that it is because Muslims reproduce more than other cultures. They totally ignore the reasons why so many people are turning to Islam and prefer to find an alternative narrative in their minds so as to justify the ignorant stereotype.

I hope Non Muslims who read this actually do the research for themselves instead of going with baseless assumptions based on stereotype. Ask us why, dont just assume.
 
Re: Why are so Many Women are Turning to Islam

fromelsewhere said:
My theory as to why more women than men are converting to Islam is that many non-Muslim women meet Muslim men, and their Muslim partner encourages them to convert to Islam.
Click to expand...

My theory is that you are coming up with whatever rationalizations you need to to maintain a basis for your bigotry.
 
Re: Why are so Many Women Turning to Islam

Kafir said:
Well thank you so much Qatada, it makes me feel good to know that my thoughts are welcome. I always feel a little stand-offish in a religious forum because I am not a believer. But I feel the fact that I am not can bring insight into why it is kafirs exist and perhaps knowing what concepts kafirs struggle with or enjoy can at least help muslims to present their religion in a better light or make us more tolerant of one another.

I wish religionists and atheists would have more open respectful dialogues with one another. Too much war and atrocity has been waged over religion in our history. It always seemed a travesty to me that if Allah exists we pay tribute to him in blood spilled by hatred, versus what is really worship: loving Allah's creations as manifestations of Allah's divinity. Though I don't believe in a God I do believe in love. I see life as fragile, unique and the trait of sentience as deserving of respect. I have an innate need to alleviate misery in this world because I love my fellow creatures on merit of their existence, on merit of brother/sister hood as residents on this beautiful little planet for a brief moment in the vastness of time.

I am very drawn to suffi philosophy because it contains this pantheist ideology in which we are all beautiful manifestations of an awe inspiring nature. I respect and love existence, I simply don't see it as a higher intelligent power and thats where I diverge from my fellow humans on the matter of religion. And just as suffis in history have went crazy with love for existence, I sometimes have moments like that too. I can sometimes look at a fellow creature or the intricacy of nature and just be emotionally touched to the core of my being by the beauty of life. I have been awe struck by things as simple as a blade of grass, or taken enjoyment from the flight of a bird. I know for many thats a silly thing, but for me (and for many spiritualist philosophers) its a deep reverence that is unexplainable to those incapable of feeling it, I often am pained that others can not.

And so though I am a kafir I feel a real kinship with the amazing souls that walked this earth and sung its praises such as Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi or Yunus Emre. I feel a special kinship with those people who strived to make this world a better place such as Mother Theresa, Mahatma Ghandi and Ayatollah Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini. Though I don't believe Christ existed and some of his teaching upset me, I am still endeared to Jesus' sermons concerning loving the poor. Just as Mohammad's teachings about communal living is equally touching to me.

Weird... I'm a Kafir who sees religion as much more than just true or false, but rather an epic ode to existence. And so I love it as much as I hate it :D

I look forward to inspiring conversations on here. I need them.
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Kafir: you show an amazing degree of self-awareness and wisdom. You also have a good understanding of the fundamental issues facing society, and the nuances involved.
 

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