Sr. Maryam Bekris - Vic

I was born in Melbourne. I am from Greek-orthodox background. I reverted to Islam in 1990, Alhamdullillah. Christianity had nothing spiritual to offer me. I viewed the Bible, as an historical book of abstract events that had no proof of the existence of God and the Hereafter. I could not refer to the Bible to provide me with a guidance for this present life. I was an agnostic. because I found Christianity to be so confusing. Was God confused? Who made this Universe that is functioning so perfectly? I was so thirsty for an answer.

My Muslim friends did not practice their faith but they were proud to be Muslims. They had spoken to me about people meeting their end in heaven and hell and of life being a test. Their words left an astonishing impression in my mind; but, where could I find the proof to their claims that life does not end after death? The Holy Qur'an spoke with such conviction and eloquence. Unlike Christianity or any other religion, I knew that indeed these were the true words of my Creator Allah (swt).

There were many spiritual changes in my life. I wanted to live an Islamic life. I could no longer live with my family. I left home after several months. Until today, my father rejects me. My mother has finally accepted me. I adore her and I pray for them. The Greeks, until today are still bitter from the Turkish invasion in the past. I recall my mother's words, "you have become a Turkish woman" and my father constantly repeating how I had disgraced his name in the Greek community.

Three years after I became a Muslim, I married a wonderful brother- Alhamdullillah. One year later, Allah (swt) gave us a beautiful and precious gift, a son, whom we called Ismail (named after Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) son).

I cannot emphasise how important it is for the Muslims to work to establish Islam in this, chaotic world. Our priority is to behave as Muslims, seek Islamic education and impart it to others. It is essential for Muslim youth to be united, not to be envious of Western culture. Islam should be our foremost goal. We must treasure our identity for ourselves and for the sake of our future generations.

I faced difficult obstacles throughout my journey to Islam. But if one genuinely wants to live in Allah's (swt) Path, Allah will provide solutions to those problems.

Allah says: "Those who listen to the Word (the Qur'an) and follows the best meaning in it; those are the ones Whom God has guided, and those are the ones endowed with understanding." (Qur'an 39:18)

Praise be to Allah (swt) who has guided me to the right path.

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