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| Arabia |
| Stockholm syndrome sweeps Bahrain |
| 2006-05-26 |
| SEVENTY-five women converted to Islam from January to this month with the help of Discover Islam's Ladies Section. The women's nationalities included British, Russian, Indian, Sri Lankan, Filipina, Ethiopian, Bangladeshi, and Thais. They were also enrolled in classes about Islam, answering their queries and providing moral support. The women who believed in and thus converted to the Islamic way of life and faith came from different walks of life. "My husband, who is a Bahraini and believes in Islam, has never asked or even mentioned about me converting because he did not want to pressure me in to anything," said a British woman, who did not wish to be named. "I have been in Bahrain for 22 years now and been married to him for 20 years, and after all these years I feel that my destiny is Islam. "I used to be a Christian Protestant, but it is now that I am experiencing inner peace. "Though I haven't started wearing the abaya yet, I do read and study the Quran regularly. "I have been going for Arabic classes for quite some time now and it is there that I was introduced to the Quran and I started exploring the new me." Another converter is a Filipina woman who has changed her name from Marissa Dulay to Samira Dulay. She has been in Bahrain for 16 years working first at Al Bustan Hotel and Resorts' administrative department and with the Saleh Al Medfa Law Office at Al Dana. "I have been studying Islam for more than a year now and the members of the Discover Islam Ladies Section have managed to clear all my queries about the religion," said Ms Dulay, a Christian Catholic. "My family who is in the Philippines were a little shocked when they heard my decision at first, but now they are happy when they realised how happy I am. "I have already started wearing the abaya and my next hope is that if I do get married, it has to be to a Muslim man. Discover Islam Ladies Section member Fathima Maka said the women were never persuaded by the centre to convert and that it was their personal decision. "However, we do all that we can to teach those who approach us about Islam. "Some of them don't come back and some do to know more and more. "I also know some people who have been inspired to convert after visiting the Al Fateh Islamic Centre in Juffair." Member Saher Jawed said many of the women were married to Muslim Bahrainis. "Many are also working as house-maids with Muslim families and that is how they start observing the Islamic way of life and feel the need to know more. "Only when we are sure that they are fully aware of what they are accepting into their life and it is something which cannot be reversed, do we take them to the next step." A get-together was organised for the newly converted women by Discover Islam at the Ladies Section villa in Manama. The chief guest of the event was Social Development Minister Dr Fatima Al Balooshi, who welcomed the women who embraced Islam and encouraged them to learn and practise the religion. |
| Posted by:ryuge |
| #5 Such a relief, not having to think for yourself or bear responsibility for your own failures in life. god wills it. Such a comfort, letting others dictate every moment of your hidden and worthless day on earth. Release that responsibility for thought and action. Such a relief to not stand out in the crowd that demands you submit to their way of life, but join it. Because individuality requires courage in the face of the crowd. Such a reassurance in submitting permanently, releasing choice forever. Because choosing is hard. it requires thought and accepting the results of the choices made. Inshallah. So much easier. The welfare religion. |
| Posted by: thinemp whimple 2006-05-26 19:33 |
| #4 "I used to be a nun. I was married to God. Then I asked for a divirce, and He gave me the world!" |
| Posted by: mojo 2006-05-26 13:35 |
| #3 "I used to be a rad muzzie from Soodi ...as I drive my Mercedes across the Manama causeway and sip evil single malt, eat delicious BBQ pork, and enjoy TCN whores at the Holliday Inn. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2006-05-26 10:24 |
| #2 I can only imagine what someones fractured life must be like to find "Inner Peace" in Islam. With articles of giving kids to other families to repay debts and other horrids accounts of that peaceful religion it is agian beyond me how any person would want to get involved with Islam. But then Jim Jones had hundreds of fools finding inner peace with him. I wish them the best, they were not born into this, they are making a choice to be part of it. |
| Posted by: 49 Pan 2006-05-26 10:12 |
| #1 "Only when we are sure that they are fully aware Most people want to end slavery, but apparently some want to be human property, otherwise known as slaves. Whatever floats your boat, ladies. Though, before you take that final step, you might want to take a little trip into Saudi as |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2006-05-26 09:51 |