I came to this forum with the idea of keeping to political discussion, but it seems the discussion between Islam and Politics have been linked together here. I figured I could post my conversion story, so that you all know where I am coming from. It is initially from my blog, which is why it makes reference to my blog at the end.

Enjoy- please, feel free to ask questions. However, do not simply make rude weightless statements. If you have something critical of myself or Islam to say, please provide your evidence with substance to your post in a respectful way.
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I came to Islam in 9th grade after a Rabbi handed out a list of "violent verses" from the Qur’an. It was my first time seeing such blatantly anti-Islamic propaganda. The effect it had on me was profound, because it led me to open the Qur’an for my first time. Having known Muslims online, I wished to look deeper and understand if the faith truly is one of violence and intolerance. I could not believe that my friends promoted such violent beliefs. Not to mention, I had already studied and understood Islam by reading IslamOnline, and knew that they were not teaching violence.

I found instead, that the Qur’an speaks of assisting the oppressed, freeing the slaves, helping the orphans, aiding the widows, and feeding the poor. Rather than teaching intolerance, it promotes coexistence and understanding. Muhammed (peace be upon him) spoke in his final sermon: "Let there be no difference between an Arab and a non-Arab, nor a black and a white man, except in piety." Furthermore, he made clear, "All of [us] are equal because [we] have the same father, Adam, and [we] are his descendants," In stark contrast to Judaism, a faith which preaches a single tribe as the "chosen people" and promotes isolation and segregation.

To be fair to Jewish teaching, I was taught great tolerance all throughout Middle School. My teacher made clear that we cannot judge a person by the color of their skin, the creed that they follow, nor the political ideology they subscribe. She also taught that the doings of a minority cannot speak for the actions of the majority. I specifically recall her stories of Muslims she knew who had to bear the burden for the attacks on September 11th, as she witnessed people inch away in the elevator or refuse to look them in the eye. I learned from an early age not to judge.

But when I entered High School, things became different. I changed schools, and here, we were taught intolerance rather than tolerance. We were taught segregation instead of integration. We were taught hatred instead of peace. I refused to listen to what I was taught, and instead, I learned to do my own research, find my own truths, and search my own soul. I think a close-minded environment actually opened my mind, allowing me to push to the opposite extreme. I became pro-Palestinian, undoubtedly a risky move in an Orthodox Jewish community. I became Socialist, also, without a doubt, a risky ideology for a 14 year old American. And after finally reading the Qur’an for the first time, I decided I was able to bow in submission to Allah.

I always believed in God. I strived to move closer to God. But never did I actually reach God, understand God, or feel content with God until I opened my heart to Islam. I was made to pray each morning and afternoon at my Jewish school. I took Bible, Hebrew, Jewish History and Rabinnics. But never did I feel connected. Prayer meant rambling random words in another language each morning, watching the clock, hoping time will pass quickly. Reading the Bible meant opening a book of laws that really did not relate much to me.

When I became Muslim, all that changed. Reading the Qur’an meant opening a manual to life that our creator has granted us as a gift. Prayer meant thanking God for all that I have, asking him for my wishes, while understanding his greatness and mercy. For the first time in my life, I felt content, no longer needing to to continue my quest for truth.

And now, having been Muslim for four years, I wish to tell readers of this blog what my journey has been like. I wish to share the joys and the troubles, the ups and the downs. And I hope that maybe, it will strengthen your own iman (faith) and offer new perspectives to a religion that has lived strong since the beginning of mankind (the religion of monotheistic Submission).