Stories of the converts into Islam

Story 23. Vanni: How I Embraced Islam

I'm a 29 year old guy from the Philippines. I was born and brought up in a Catholic family. Since my elementary years I almost expended my time in the church. I began as an altar server, then I became band member of the choir in my teenage time and since then I served the church as a Parish Youth Ministry and the band leader. I’ am a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and the Cursillo for Christianity (once been a Vice rector in a junior class). I do have two friends that are catholic priest and one is my compadre. Sometime my compadre Rev. Fr. Benjie and I talked about Islam on how Islam honors Jesus and his mother (may Allah exalt his mention).

I almost expended my time serving the Catholic Church before I embraced Islam. Being a catholic there was a question always in my mind, why does the faith of the Catholic Church or other Christian Churches are focused to Jesus (may Allah exalt his mention)? Why not Yaweh the creator? Sometimes I asked this my friends in the church but no answers from them satisfied me. I stopped questioning because they told me that I was having a doubt about God or Jesus (may Allah exalt his mention). But still I had a doubt and I kept it.

One time I met my former drummer and had a chat with him. He told me that he converted to Islam (Balik Islam in our Philippine language) and I laughed at him and told him that he had poor faith to Jesus (may Allah exalt his mention). He only smiled at me. Again, another question in my mind, “Why this man (a former church volunteer worker since teenage time) embraced Islam?” After that I started to research about the doctrine of Islam. It was interesting and I borrowed some booklets from my friend. I also borrowed books from my Muslim co-employee. She gave me the booklet named Christ in Islam, by Shaykh Deedat and “Islam in Focus” by Hammudah Abdalati.

I found the answers to my question and I was truly satisfied, then I started to decide if I would go and embrace Islam. I told my family about it. My mother was sad and my uncle cried and told me, “I don’t want you to go in hell". I just smiled on him and tried to explain to him Islam. I quitted serving the church also. I and my Pastor cousin also had a debate about it. Many of my friends tried to stop me for my decision about Islam, and I told, “If any one of you can answer my question you can stop me.” (My question was, “Did Jesus (may Allah exalt his mention) claim to be a god and to be worshipped?”

Months later, my friend (former Altar Server of the church) came from Saudi Arabia, we had a chat and I found out that he also converted to Islam. I was so satisfied about our chat and all of my questions were answered.

I made the decision to embrace Islam. There was an Imam in our hometown. I tried to find and contact him so I can declare may Shahaada (Testimony of Faith) but I couldn’t find him. In the 100% people in our hometown there were only 1% Muslims. Months went and still I couldn’t find an Imam. Then my cousin in Dubai called me and I went to Dubai. I declared my Shahaada there with a Filipino Imam.

Now I am a Muslim and in my family I am the only one, it is sad that if I die even my mother or kids can’t touch my dead body. But this is my faith.

“La ilaaha illallaah, Muhammadur Rasoolallaah”

I declared my Shahaada in Dubai on May 23, 2008 after almost a year of deciding and self studying Islam. In myself study Islamweb.net is a big help for me. I recommend the site to my Christian friends I want to encourage them about Islam to worship Allah...no one except Allah. Islamweb.net is the first site that I found and it helps me a lot. When I first found it I recommended the site to my catholic friends. The site is very encouraging.