BEING A NEW MUSLIM IN A FAMILY OF NON-MUSLIMS
at www.CONVERTSTOISLAM.com
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No one likes to be the odd one out, to be too different from the rest. People can
quickly feel embarassed and uncomfortable.
For a muslim convert this is not so much of a concern. Having spent time researching and
realising that they have found the truth, they are less concerned with worrying about
being different. However, for the family of the convert this may not always be the case.
In their eyes they have gone from being a 'normal family' to a family that now contains
an 'unusual person' :). In the short term the family may therefore be worried about being
different from other families, and they may be embarassed of the new convert in their
family when neighbours and more distant family get to hear about it.
This is not always easy for the new convert. Having decided to become a muslim and as a result
change many aspects of their life, the convert would definitely benefit from family support
and understanding. If this is not received the convert may at first feel abandoned and
alone, they may feel that they are becoming distant from their family.
The first thing to remember is that if your family are worried about what others will think
of your conversion, then this is likely to be a short term reaction only, that has
probably come about out of shock and an ignorance of Islam. Once they get used to the fact
that you are a Muslim, once they see with their own eyes that they still have their
son/daughter, when they realise how content you are and what a good life you are leading,
when they come to understand the basic teachings of Islam their embarassment will go.
InshaAllah they will become proud of you in time and show you off to others :).
In the meantime it is important to remain strong in faith and patient and loving towards
your parents. Maintain your usual relations with them even if this means extra effort on
your part. It is definitely recommended to spend more time with them than you would
normally have done, or phone them more frequently if possible.
The other point to keep in mind is that on becoming a muslim you have gained many many new
brothers and sisters. You now have two families and your new family is huge. You will
find many organisations that will be able to help you and many existing muslims that will
support you.
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