What do you suppose is behind the large numbers of British women converting to Islam?
A similar question was greeted with incredulity and dismissals but I'll provide sources.
NPR recently did a story on this and here are some excerpts:
Mr. MUGHAL: The typical view taken of somebody converting to Islam is that they are somehow unbalanced, that they are somehow brainwashed, that they are missing or lacking something in their life.
REEVES: The report calculates just over 5,000 people in Britain converted to Islam this year. It says they often feel isolated from their families and from the men who run the mosques. About two-thirds of the converts are women. Marriage is usually not the reason, despite popular belief.
Recent converts include Lauren Booth, sister-in-law of Britain's former Prime Minister Tony Blair. Booth remembers how she called her mother to tell her she'd been to a Muslim shrine and was deeply moved. She was encouraged by her mom's positive response.
Ms. LAUREN BOOTH (Journalist and Activist): So I said, I'm thinking of converting, and she said, that's no problem to me at all, and I was amazed.
REEVES: When she met her mother a week later, Booth wore the hi jab, the traditional Islamic scarf.
Ms. BOOTH: She asked, why are you wearing that? And I said, because I've converted to Islam. And she said, Islam? I thought you said Buddhism, not those nutters.
REEVES: Booth hasn't yet told her brother-in-law Tony Blair.
Ms. BOOTH: I believe he's a war criminal, so I can't say we've had this discussion personally.
Other coverage
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article7135026.ece
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1343954/100-000-Islam-converts-living-UK-White-women-keen-embrace-Muslim-faith.html
http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/05/study-white-women-in-uk-converting-to-islam-more-than-men/
Googling will turn up similar stories about converts in other Western countries, and again, they are predominantly educated white women.
"In the West, we are stressed for superficial reasons, like what clothes to wear. In Islam, everyone looks to a higher goal. Everything is done to please God. Despite my lifestyle, I felt empty inside and realized how liberating it was to be a Muslim. To follow only one god makes life purer. You are not chasing every fad."
?His sister started talking to me about Islam, and it was as if ?everything in my life fitted into place. I think, underneath it all, I must have been searching for something, and I wan?t feeling fulfilled by my hard-drinking party lifestyle."
Well, I wouldn't really say that I don't completely understand how an educated white woman living in a secular nation would convert to Islam. Reigion is not just a belief to spirituality or some gods. It defines codes of living, it involves obedience, worship etc. They influence people's way of living. These women felt the need to follow a system different from what they used to because maturity is different from every person. We grow into our own persons. So dunno, I thought of this because I was once a religious person who lived in a religious country and my experience was the other way around.
Muslim community in UK is different anyway so I wouldn't really be worried about these women.
Attention - and clearly this Booth woman has an Axe to grind with Blair so converting to Islam is quite the statement and given her two degrees of separation from Blair - an easy way ion the national media
What would you call a religion whose beliefs, practices and followers are being bashed and bad-mouthed in practically every sphere of activity, in almost every corner of the globe, yet it attracts ever-increasing numbers of people?
A Paradox? A Miracle ? Or simply, The Truth: Islam.
The fact that Islam. is the fastest growing religion in the world today, is proof that our Creator has taken it upon Himself to perfect the Truth that He sent all His prophets and messengers with -- from Adam [AS] to Muhammad [SAW].
Studies conducted in the West show that the sheer number of new Muslims is changing the demographic profile of countries all over the world, and not all of them are born into Muslim families. With some 6 million adherents in the United States, Islam is said to be the nation?s fastest-growing religion. One expert estimates that 25,000 people a year become Muslims in this country; some clerics say they have seen conversion rates quadruple since Sept 11.
Ironically for a religion that is routinely bashed for ?subjugating? and ?oppressing? its female followers, the number of female reverts to Islam.outnumber the males 4:1!
The fact that more and more people are finding their way to Islam., notwithstanding the relentless propaganda, deliberate misinformation and outright prejudice against it, never ceases to amaze me.
How do these people navigate in the darkness to find the light of Islam. in spite of all the obstacles in the way?
The answer is that our Creator has granted each one of us a guiding light -- a pure, undefiled innate nature called the fit rah. Unlike Christians who believe in the doctrine of Original Sin and assert that each baby is born tainted with the sin of Adam?s disobedience to God, Muslims believe that every child is born into a state of purity where it recognizes its Creator and is naturally subservient to His laws.
In his book The Fundamentals of Islamic Monotheism, Abu Ameenah Bilaal Philips writes: Just as a child?s body submits to the physical laws which Allah has put in nature, its soul also submits naturally to the fact that Allah is its Lord and Creator. But its parents try to make it follow their own way and the child is not strong enough in the early stages of its life to resist or oppose its parents. The religion which the child follows at this stage is one of custom and upbringing and Allah does not hold it to account for this religion.
When the child matures in youth and clear proofs of the falsehood of its religion are brought to it, the adult must now follow the religion of knowledge and reason. At this point the devils try their best to encourage him to stay as he is or to go further astray. Evils are made pleasing to him and he must now live in the midst of a struggle between his innate pure nature and his desires in order to find the right road.
If he chooses to follow his innate nature, his fit rah, Allah will help him overcome his desires even though it may take most of his life to escape, for many people enter Islam. in their old age.
Read more :HTTP://www.missionislam.com/discover/believeitornot.htm
is everyone born a Muslim? answered by Gary miller - 2 min length Vida
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEiTv9W_Zuc
A research study proves children are born believers in God:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/3512686/Children-are-born-believers-in-God-academic-claims.html The purpose of life (a beautiful article by a former Christian pastor)
http://www.islamtomorrow.com/purpose.htm
Fundamental Beliefs of Islam: a comprehensive website
http://www.TodayIslam.com/belief.htm
Because Islam gives women and men equal rights.
Do Women and Men have equal rights?Indeed,Muslim women have,and had since 600 A.D.. Non-Muslim women have been oppressed and suppressed for centuries.Judaism and Christianity consider women to be an inferior species,born sinners,unclean etc. As for atheism,it is not a religion,and thus have no rules.If a chauvinist leader is elected,he may decide to revoke a law allowing women to vote and replace it with one that forbids it.And again, another leader may come up and pass another Bill declaring owning of property by women to be illegal etc.And of course,a just leader may appear centuries later and declare women and men to be equal?. However,since this is so unreliable,we cannot say that atheism gives women rights.In the early 18Th century,the English critic Daniel Defoe denounced marriage as "legalized prostitution." English law dispossessed any woman who married,with the notable exception of England's queens.Women were not allowed to own property or land or to control their own assets.William Blackstone,a celebrated 18Th century jurist, put it this way:"By marriage, the very being or legal existence of a woman is suspended,or at least incorporated or consolidated into that of the husband,under whose wing, protection, or cover she performs everything."
With the advent of Islam came the verse from the Quran elevating women,honoring them and giving them equal rights with men.Though as we notice in some cases,women have been given greater privilege that men(as in the case when a Muslim woman marries,she becomes an owner of her husband?s property,BUT her property remains hers alone, and her husband has no right over her wealth).
But Islam makes it clear that women and men are 100% equal in every possible way.In fact,the greatest and most learned scholar,or Imaam in Islam was a woman,the first Muslim on Earth was a woman,the greatest general in Islamic history was a woman(who had led one of the most powerful contingent of armed men, in 7Th century Arabia),and 14 centuries earlier,Muslim women were governors of ?Islamic? countries,and women help powerful positions all over the Islamic world.
Can we yet forget how in early 18Th century European leaders gathered in Paris to decide whether women should be regarded as humans or animals!?And I would not be surprised if another century later, non-Muslim leaders gather to vote to brand women as animals once again.You see, is there any law preventing them from this?Yes,we may be relieved to see that Islamic laws(i.e. The Quran)remains in its pristine form and has not been changed, and shall never be changed. Thus, our rights are protected within this Great Book.Inherently contently, the Quran?s authenticity has never been questioned. And this Quran,the direct speech of our Lord,the intelligible light,the bridge by which we shall return to salvation,is present,sustaining and illuminating.
Sir Charles Edward Archibald Hamilton says about Islam:?Islam teaches the inherent spinelessness of man.It teaches that man and women have come from the same essence, possess the same soul and have been equipped with equal capabilities for intellectual, spiritual and moral attainments.?Islam came as the defender of the fairer sex and entitled women to share in the inheritance.It gave women,centuries ago,the right of owning property.Yet it was only 12 centuries later, in 1881, that England, supposed to be the cradle of democracy,adopted this institution of Islam and an Act was passed,called the ?Married Women?s Act?.But a thousand years before our time,Islam assured women that they shall have every right and every opportunity as men have. Muslim women never had to bite and fight for their rights as we had.Our Creator ensured that this invincible, just law shall remain until the Last Day,and women will never again be considered as the ?weaker sex?.
Islam is Peace.. whoever doesn't spread peace is NOT a Muslim! Islam has the answer to all problems and is a book of guidance for the whole of Mankind!
Go on this site for Quran and Modern science by a french scientist - very interesting! http://www.sultan.org/articles/QScience.html
Read the Quran and you'll see why so many people are coming back! Here are a few verses..
[Ch 1:1- 5] Praise be to GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Master of the Judgment Day;
Only YOU do we Worship and Only YOU do we ask for Help. Show us the Straight Way;
[Ch 2:2-4] This is The Scripture; In it is Sure Guidance?to those who are GOD-Conscious, who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in Prayer?; And who believe in The Revelation sent to you (O Muhammed), and The Revelations sent before your time?
[Ch 17:23-26] Your Lord has Commanded that you Worship none but HIM, and that you be kind to parents. If one or both of them attain old age in your life? say: ?My Lord! Bestow YOUR Mercy on them, just as they cared for me in childhood??
And give the kinsmen, and the needy, and the wayfarer, their due rights;
[Ch 11:36-37] And it was Revealed to Noah: ?None of your people will believe except those who have believed already. Build an Ark under OUR Eyes and by OUR Inspiration?!?
[Ch 15:72-75] By your life (O Muhammed) they (Lot?s people) moved blindly into the frenzy of approaching death! ...WE turned (the cities) upside down and rained upon them stones of heated clay. Verily in this are Signs!
[Ch 26:60-67] And they (Pharaoh?s troops) pursued them (Moses? people)? Then WE inspired Moses? ?Strike the sea with your rod!? And it (the sea) parted; and each part was like a vast mountain?; and WE saved Moses and those who were with him;
[Ch 21:78-79]...to each of them (David and Solomon) WE gave Judgment and Knowledge.
[Ch 19:12-15] (And WE Instructed John The Baptist) ?O John, hold strongly to The Scripture?; and WE gave him wisdom? and he was not arrogant or rebellious.
[Ch 3:45-47] (And) When the Angels said: ?O Mary! GOD gives you glad tidings of a Word from HIM; his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary; held in hon our in this world and the Hereafter; and one of those nearest to GOD; he will speak to the people in his cradle and in maturity; and he will be among the righteous.? She said: ?O my Lord! How can I have a son, when no man has touched me?? He said: ?Even so; GOD creates what HE Wills. When HE has Decreed a Plan, HE only says to it: 'BE,' and it is!
[Ch 4:163] WE inspire you (O Muhammed), as WE inspired Noah and the Messengers after him. WE inspired Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the tribes; and Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon; and WE inspired The Psalms unto David.
[Ch 20:124-128] And whoever turns away from MY Message, his life will surely be a narrowed one; and WE shall raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment. He will say: ?O my LORD! Why have YOU raised me up blind, while I had sight (before)?? (GOD) will say: ?Thus did you disregard OUR Revelations?! So will you be disregarded Today.? Is it not A Warning for them, (seeing) the numerous generations that WE destroyed before them- in whose dwellings they (now) walk? Verily in this are Signs for men who reflect!
[Ch 31:7-9] When OUR Revelations are recited to him, he turns away in arrogance, as if he heard them not; as if there were deafness in his ears. Therefore, announce to him a Painful Doom. As for those who believe and do good works, there will be Gardens of Bliss-
[Ch 78:39-40] Therefore, whoever wishes, should take a (Straight) Return to his LORD! Verily, WE have warned you of a Doom, near at hand- A Day when man will see (the deeds) which his hands have sent before!
[Ch 81:27-28] This is no less than a Reminder to the Worlds; to whoever among you wills to Walk Straight.
What do you suppose is behind the large numbers of British women converting to Islam?
