André's Journey to Islam
André
38 years old, from Brazil
Previous Religion: Christianity
My Life Before Islam
Background & Upbringing: André (38 years old) was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil. He grew up in a devout Christian family where his mother was very dedicated to teaching them the principles and teachings of Jesus.
Professional & Personal Stability: He led a successful and stable life as a sports journalist. He was a family man, married with children, and an active practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Initial Perception of Islam: At age 23, his only knowledge of Islam came from mainstream media, which often portrayed it through a lens of extremism. At that time, he was not particularly interested in global politics or religion.
The Moment of Guidance
Seeking the Truth: Despite his stable life, he felt a curiosity to discover the truth for himself. He contacted an Islamic federation in São Paulo and met a teacher named Abdul Baqi, who began explaining the fundamental basics of the faith to him.
The Decision to Purify: On Christmas Eve, he surprised his family and friends by announcing he had become a Muslim. To symbolize a fresh start and internal purification, he shaved his head completely to mark the beginning of a clean, new life.
The Testimony (Shahada): After a period of independent study, he met a group of scholars at a mosque where he formally took his Shahada and began diving deeper into the concept of Monotheism (Tawhid).
The Concept of One God: He was most drawn to the absolute oneness of God in Islam and the absence of intermediaries between the Creator and the creation, finding it to be perfectly aligned with human nature.
Reflections
Islam and Sportsmanship: André found ethical guidelines in the Sunnah (traditions) of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ even regarding combat and sports—such as the prohibition of harming a defeated opponent. He applied these noble values to his life as both an athlete and a journalist.
The World Cup Dawah Project: He participated in a major outreach project during the FIFA World Cup in Brazil under the slogan "Islam 10." He worked to distribute Portuguese literature and clarify the reality of Islam to locals and tourists.
Faith in an Open Society: He reflects that the real challenge in an open society like Brazil is the freedom to choose between "Halal" and "Haram." He believes his faith gives him the strength to choose the right path despite the easy access to worldly temptations.
Family Values: André considers his family his greatest blessing. He credits God for giving him a magnificent wife and children, with whom he spends his time studying and growing, while always keeping the love of God above all else.