Jamal Jordan, Ex-Christian, USA

by **samirisaoui** Tue Oct 22, 2013 3:30 am

Description: Reading a book turned him to Islam.
By Jamal Jordan
Published on 27 Jun 2011 - Last modified on 11 Sep 2011
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Category: Articles > Stories of New Muslims > Men

My name is Jamal Jordan, born and raised in South Carolina, USA. My family raised me Baptist (Christian) and I was an avid, active Christian up until about a month ago when I embraced Islam.
I was born down in Florida in 1995 to a family of nothing but Christians. We then moved to South Carolina, and we currently reside in the region known as “the Bible Belt”. As the name hints, there is a lot of Christianity around here. There are churches everywhere, and churches are always holding events and dinners. Pretty much the whole community is Christian. Needless to say, I was raised in a Church, and thus adopted the beliefs and never really questioned them. I enjoyed the Church. I joined a local youth group and a choir. I attended many leadership conferences and other seminars, and I eventually obtained a leadership position in my church’s youth. We launched many mission trips across various under privileged areas to help “spread the good news” and build churches. I considered myself lucky, and proud to have been a Christian, and not born into any other religion. Little did I know that we are all born as Muslims.
This leads me to the next part, Islam. Growing up I didn’t know anything about Islam, except that they called God “Allah” and followed a man named Muhammad (may God praise him). And the only exposure I had to Islam was the through the media in the wake of 9/11. I remember my dad telling me that “Muslims are your enemy“. I didn’t really know what to think, but I avoided Islam all together. And then a Muslim family moved here from Jordan. I became friends with the boy who is my age, when we had a class together earlier this year. When he mentioned that his religion was Islam, I was intrigued, and asked him a few questions. That’s when I found out that they are very similar to Christians. This little revelation interested me, but not to the point that I was motivated to study.
One day, when traveling to a church conference, I was discussing Islam with another friend of mine, a Christian, and he said that he wanted to read a Quran, so that he could see what it said for himself. I agreed with him. While at the conference, I contemplated about how to convert my friend to Christianity. I came to the conclusion that I would first build a relationship with him, and then start the process. I continued with this plan for a while actually, but one day I went into my school’s library, and it changed everything. I saw a book entitled “Islam basic beliefs and teachings” and decided to check it out. Later at home when I read it, everything I read amazed me for some reason. There was literally something inside of me making me want to believe what I was reading. It all made sense. I read about the prophets, may God praise them all, and the biography of Muhammad, (may God praise him). Also, the book displayed how to pray, and I thought it was beautiful. That same day, I did some searches on the internet, and learned all I could about Islam. I was still a Christian, but whenever I read articles from www.answering-christianity.org, or listened to debates, I found myself pulling for the Muslim side. At this point, I had already been convinced about Islam, but I still needed background information… So I studied for about 6 months. I studied every topic in Islam at least twice.
At about 5 months in, I was basically a Muslim. I knew how to pray in Arabic, I had memorized 4 surahs (chapters) of the Quran and I owned 3 copies of the Quran. But I was still having identity issues. Eventually I mustered up the courage to go online and convert. I used the site “Chat Islam online” al-hamdulillah (All praise and thanks are due to God) it was great! The sister I converted with was very nice and helpful, and sent me more valuable information. And the next day, I told my Muslim friend about my conversion, and he was extremely happy for me. He welcomed me as a brother, and even got me a prayer mat. Allah made it easy for me, and for that I am most grateful.
Although there is one problem that lurks over me today… I am practicing Islam in secret. I am only 16, and still live under the jurisdiction of my parents. They would probably harm me if they found out I converted, not to mention I would be ostracized and maybe disowned. I have faith that God will guide me and protect me.
Anyone considering Islam that is in a position similar to mine should have the same faith, that God will help you out if you embrace Islam. I hope my story can serve a good purpose for anyone out there who is considering Islam.