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Mohammad Umar Gautam,
Chairman Islamic Da'wah Centre (IDC), Delhi
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Fatimah Charitable Foundation, a newly registered trust in collaboration with Islamic Da'wah Centre (IDC), Delhi recently organized the first of its kind get together of reverts – Reverts Get Together – 2010, to learn the experiences of those who embraced Islam in their search for truth. These people, who came from diverse social backgrounds and places did not know that they would find one thing so common. It was their tears – tears that have no religion and no distinct geographical marks on the eyes of those who cry out of love for their loved ones. And for those, who criticize Islam to be the religion of violence and intolerance, this was an spectacular gathering, where well educated men and women from different walks of life shared their experiences of the all-embracing nature of Islam and the trials and travails they had to undergo.
Treshan Singh, a young British citizen doing some Hindi language course from Delhi University accepted Islam on 10 December 2010. The young man had many sleepless nights and was confused about religion and nature of God unless he was satisfied with the truth of Islam. If Allah has chosen something for you, He will direct you to it, he said. Islam is for all humanity, he added.
The quest and curiosity about Islam since Class X upset Shikha Sharma. I then asked a Muslim friend what he thought of Hinduism, Shikha says. He did not say anything except that he was satisfied with his religion and he loved it. That struck my mind, said Shikha, now Shifa. I had interest in languages and wanted to learn French. She enrolled for some Arabic language course and also had to learn Urdu to understand basic Arabic. Shikha had misconceptions which were removed once she started knowing Islam on her own.
Shifa's parents were liberal but when great visible changes were observed in her life, they had apprehensions and objections. Now, I stand firm as a Muslim, she says. Her two younger sisters, both students, have also embraced Islam. Shifa does not bother for trials and tribulations. Tribulations are there but Allah tests us in order to purify us so that we are eligible for Jannah. Paradise is not awarded for nothing, Shifa says.
Raj Kumar renamed Mohammad Saad in 2007 wondered how the Creator of such a vast amazing world could have a form and shape that human beings ascribe to God. He studied Quran and leant namaz. His father and sister are in police.
Cardiologist, Dr. Fatimah of Armenia became unsatisfied with life unless she got its meaning. Now she lives with her Muslim husband along with her two small children. Sister Renuka, now Aisha, studied at Jamia Millia Islamia and accepted Islam 15 years ago. She has illuminated 30 other lives.
Dr Asha, now Aisha has no inhibition to declare her faith and is glad to share that his father and other members of her family know that she is a Muslim. My father even corrects me whenever I say something about Islam which is not exactly as I understand.
Sister Firdaus embraced Islam in 1995 and married a much older man, in whom she finds great support. Twin sisters Aliya Fatima and Maryam Fatima don't find courage to tell their family that they are Muslims. Aliya had a discussion with a Muslim friend and according to her own admission, her one moment's experience with truth had diminished her 18 years strong faith in gods that she thought were the movers and shakers of the world.
Mufti Mohammad Ahmad did Hifz-e-Quran from some madrasa in Saharanpur and then completed Fazil and Ifta from Darul Uloom Deoband. He was born in a Pandit family.
Rahul’s story is also no more different. In which form am I going to face God when I die?, quizzed Rahul, who did schooling in science stream from Delhi Public School and obtained B. Tech (Computer) from England in 1998. Rahul was fascinated by the Quranic description of the many stages of pregnancy in minute detail with unmistakable accuracy. Namaz (Salah) also appealed me a lot, Rahul said.
Despite all odds, also intact was their love for the members of their rather unkind families proved how hope wins over hatred. Sulaiman, a Chartered Accountant, who was earlier Abhijeet Mahaputra, belonging to Bhubaneshwar in Orissa and embraced Islam in 1996, broke into tears while mentioning about his parents.
"In childhood I was very ill and my mother cared a lot for me. I love them but am grieved that my parents fail to understand that I love them too much and I miss them a lot", he said.
An assistant professor at a degree college in Ghaziabad, Dr. Shalini was grossly involved in her research work for her PhD in Zoology. She had little time to think about God and was living almost like an "atheist'. She traveled Japan, America, Saudi Arabia and many other countries. But with the progress of her research there grew in her something else that made her restless. "I was so confused and depressed", says Dr. Shalini, "I did not know what to do".
Although familiar with Islam and Muslims, she had a very negative idea of Muslims. But when I went to Saudi Arabia, I found great change in me after meeting people there. I started reading the Quran to find out whether the things being said about Muslims were correct or not. Dr. Shalini appealed people to help those reverts who were financially unstable.
Mohammad Umar Gautam, chairman, IDC and the man behind this initiative, who himself accepted the truth of Islam some 27 years ago, started the programme by praying to Allah to accept all efforts for such a noble task. His introductory note was followed by recitation of the verses of the Quran by 29-year-old Hafiz Junaid, who was Surender Dubey five years ago and is now a student of the last year of the five-year Alamiyat course at Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama in Lucknow.
Dr. Mohammad Sami, Sunny Vadhwa of Panipat, Government Hospital, who did Medical from Jammu Medical College recited enchanting lines of Naat:Wo Noor Banke Dilon Mein Samaye Jaate Hain/Rasool-e-Pak Do Aalam Pe Chhaye Jaate Hain (He enters our hearts with his illuminating rays/The Holy Messenger is pervading the whole wolrd). Just eight months old into the benign fold of Truth, Dr. Sunny was fascinated by Islam’s concept of Oneness.
A 6th standard student, Abdullah Umar gave a short speech on rights of parents in Islam. Taqdees Fatima spoke on the importance of Dawah in Islam. Fatima said that Islam was a comprehensive religion that covered all aspects of life. Islam is a way of life, a code of conduct that makes life better, she said. Dawah (inviting people to Truth and One God) is an obligation for every Muslim man and woman according to his and her ability. She asked Muslims to use every opportunity to sensitise non-Muslims about Islam.
A short speech on Tawheed in Islam was given by Adil Umar, a class XIth student of South Delhi's Hamdard Public School. Srinivas, now Mohammad Zubair thanked Allah for giving him a way. More than 30 people shared their experiences and many did not get the opportunity due to shortage of time.
Syed Arshad Ali, retired professor of the Department of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia; Nasim Ahmad Ghazi (Jamaat-e-Islami Hindi), Najibul Hasan Siddiqui of Jamiatul Muminaat, Lucknow; Ummul Qura product Arshad Sirajuddin; Sirajuddin Shaikh of Imphal-based Islamic Research & Da'wah Centre, Advocate Asif of Patiala House Court, Delhi were among the prominent people who participated in the programme.
(Manzar Imam can be reached at manzarkhalil@gmail.com)
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