The untold story of converts to Islam

By: Ismael Mukhtar
The October 2014 tragic attacks in Ottawa by Michael Zehaf-Bibeauand and in Montreal by Martin Rouleau were shocking to all Canadians. The fact that both were converts to Islam was unsettling to Canadian Muslims. As discussions intensified on their motives, their earlier conversion to Islam became a focal point, raising concerns of potential dangers posed by new converts to Islam.  
Converts to Islam are many and they have visible presence in Muslim communities in the West. Many of them chose to be Muslims on their own initiative; either by reading Quran or by coming into direct contact with Muslims. Converts come from all ethnicities, faiths and all walks of life. They include diplomats, intellectuals, celebrities, students, labourers etc. Among the earliest well known celebrity converts to Islam we find Cassius Clay (Mohamed Ali), Heavyweight Boxing Champion; Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam), renowned British singer and others. Many converts find appeal in the Islamic teaching of prohibition of intoxicants, emphasis on family values, theological clarity and lack of hierarchical clergy structure.

---

Many converts come from well to do social backgrounds and integrate in the Muslim community seamlessly. Some come from troubled social backgrounds and find in Islam remedy to their struggles with substance abuse or alcoholism or social alienation. Few others struggle with the challenges of transition and some end up abandoning Islam altogether. Most converts continue to carry on with their lives as per normal. They have to make certain adjustments in their life styles, such as praying five times a day, avoiding alcohol and pork etc.  Though not a religious requirement, some chose to change their names to Arabic names, others maintain their old names.
Converts today play significant roles in Muslim communities in the West. Many have risen to positions of leadership and influence. Dr. Ingrid Matheson, a convert to Islam in 1987, was the first Muslim woman to be leader of the oldest and largest Muslim organization in North America (Islamic Society of North America). Further, a significant number of the top Imams and speakers in North America are converts. Included in this group are Mark Hanson (Hamza Yusuf) converted in 1977, Ricky Daryl Mitchell (Zaid Shakir) converted in 1977, William Webb (Suhaib) converted in 1992 and Jeffrey Kearse (Siraj Wahaj) converted in 1975.
Converts also play important roles in shaping the intellectual landscape of Islam and promoting interfaith dialogues. Two prominent translators of the Quran to English are Marmaduke Pickthall, converted in 1917 and Leopold Weiss (Mohamed Assad) converted in 1926. Both came with well established academic credentials. Weiss became a leading figure in Islamic thought. He authored many books, including the well known book The Road to Mecca. Weiss was a critical thinker, who became a leading reformer, questioning some classical positions and articulating a different perspective. Another prominent figure is Dr. Wilfried Hofmann, converted in 1980.  Dr. Hoffman served as German Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and authored many publications and is well known in interfaith communities. Another prominent author is Dr. Jeffry Lang (converted 1980); among his well known books are: “Struggling to surrender” and “Even Angles Ask”.
A typical convert is a seemingly integrated, socially involved, good citizen. The few who chose the path of extremism are clear anomaly. Some of them come to Islam with prior social struggles which make them susceptible to the fringe radical groups. It would be a travesty to focus on these anomalies and overlook the great positive contributions converts make in their societies. 
(Reproduced from the Winnipeg Free Press)