Asma's Journey to Islam
Asma
Netherlands
Previous Religion: Catholicism
My Life Before Islam
Upbringing and Spirituality: Esme was born into a very religious Catholic family in the Netherlands. Her original name was "Mascha" (a Russian diminutive of Mary). She served as an altar girl in the church from a young age and felt a strong spiritual connection to Mary (Maryam), but she sensed a gap between her heart's beliefs and the church's teachings.
The Search for Truth: Despite her family's deep roots in the church (her aunt was a nun and her uncle a monk), she remained open to other faiths. Her interest in Islam began when she happened to watch a video about the story of Prophet Ibrahim's sacrifice, noting the striking similarities between Islamic and Christian narratives.
The Influence of Ahmed Deedat: The debates of Ahmed Deedat with Christian ministers had a profound impact on her, especially his explanations regarding the existence of multiple versions of the Bible, which led her to question the preservation of the original text.
The Moment of Guidance
Surah Maryam and Certainty: Esme was deeply moved by Surah Maryam. Questions that often caused doubt among Christians regarding Mary and Jesus (Isa) found clear and decisive answers in the Quran, particularly the miracle of Jesus speaking in the cradle to defend his mother—a detail she found much clearer in the Quran than in the Bible.
Journey to Egypt and Starting Prayer: During a trip to Egypt, she stayed with a family who taught her Surah Al-Fatiha. Upon her return, she began praying immediately even before knowing about the official "testimony of faith" (Shahada), because she felt Islam was the truth she had held in her heart since birth. She described her conversion as "coming home."
Love for the Quran: She became "addicted" to listening to the Quran, specifically the recitation of Al-Husary. She would read the translation while listening to the Arabic, eventually teaching herself Tajweed (proper recitation) through listening and imitation.
Reflections
The Challenge of Hijab: She didn't realize the Hijab was mandatory until a year after her conversion. When she started wearing it, she faced difficulties with her family and society. However, she believes that seeking Allah's pleasure is more important than seeking people's approval, noting that the "mountain" women fear before wearing Hijab becomes a small hill once the step is taken.
Dawah and Educational Work: Esme is now highly active in the Netherlands. She is a consultant for the "Islamic Schools Organization," an advisor for the first Muslim newspaper in the country, and owns a publishing house for Islamic children's books. Her goal is to spread the Sunnah and good character.
Message to Non-Muslims: She advises people not to be swayed by the negative media portrayal of Islam. She encourages them to research with an open mind, stating, "You have nothing to lose, but everything to gain by seeking the truth."
The Quran as a Life Manual: She views the Quran and Sunnah as the "manual" that organizes every detail of her life. She aspires to create more visual educational materials for Muslim children in the Netherlands in their native language.