SR DEBORAH DANIEL

Streaky Bay, S.A

As an Australian, I was raised as a Church of England follower. My attendance was not always regular. I always felt there was more. I was missing something. As time passed, I did not connect my interest in anything Middle-Eastern and Islam. Even though I read and watched all I could, wanting to know all.

In about August of 1984 1 saw a program on ABC TV about the life of a Muslim family in Sydney. While watching, I knew I had to discover more about Islam and that 1 should become Muslim. It felt like the only right thing to do.

At this point my problems began.

Streaky Bay is about 1,00Okm! from Adelaide to the West. I looked in the telephone directory and found a number for the South Australian Islamic Society. My call was returned by Br Omar Lum. He suggested I read some more books that he would send and see how I then felt.

I read the books, and I knew Islam had another follower. Br Omar then "handed" me to his wife Sr Rokayyah who helped me with dress code and further reading. I had to teach myself to pray, in English, learn Wudu (ablution), Ghusl (major ablution), by reading books. Being self taught there are many areas in which I must still be making errors. 1 have personal contact with Sr Rokayyah and others less than once a year. Other problems are buying food. Halal meat is almost impossible to acquire however, experience now allows me to ascertain which foods are suitable. Clothes too are a problem. Luckily, I sew, so I unpicked a dress and trousers of Sr Rokayyah's, added inched where needed, and now have clothes all the same style. Hijabs (scarves) and caps, prayer garbs are also included!

In the past ten years my life has become better, Islam has completed my life. I may "slip off the rails" so to speak regularly but, thinking of my fellow Muslims and their words help me back.

Islam is life to me, and InshaAllah I will always have it's guiding light, and the fellowship of other Sisters and Brothers.

"O ye who believe! seek help with patient, perseverance and prayer: for God is with those who patiently persevere". (Qur'an 2:153)

Go back to Reverts in Islam main page...