Learning About Islam

As I wrote in my first posting, The Deen Show ( http://thedeenshow.com/shows.html ) and The Religion of Islam ( http://www.islamreligion.com/index.php ) websites were very informative in my investigation of Islam, and what it means to be a Muslim. The host of the shows featured on The Deen Show, Eddie, has been very nice in replying to my emails, answering my questions, and referring me to other sites where I may contiue my learning. The Deen Show site has a lot of videos, an informative library, even an online Qur'an. New shows are added often, so keep checking the site. Several of the sites I have found, like The Religion of Islam site, have "live" help sections during certain hours of the day. One can have a live chat, or in some cases, even request a call back where one can speak with a brother.

During my investigation I found an article about another person who was a Mormon, like I used to be, and in the article the author wrote about a website where he received a great deal of help. The site is called Why Islam? ( http://www.whyislam.org/877/ ). What is nice about this site is one can read about the basic beliefs, request free literature, correspond by email, request someone to accompany you to a mosque, or simply ask a question. In my case, I requested to have a mosque visit arranged. I was ready to take the Shahada, and planned to do so with a rep from the Religion of Islam site during a call back, but before I could do so received a call back from WhyIslam.org. Before my call ended I had recited the Shahada (I still plan on doing so again in front of the congregation at my local masjid).

The reason I bring up WhyIslam.org is the fact that they have a large support community throughout the United States. Not only did I receive a "welcome" package containing a prayer rug, Qur'an, several other books and brochures, and even a prayer cap, but I was also contacted by a local masjid which offers new Muslim classes. A new class had recently started, so now every Sunday, for two hours for the next several months, I meet & learn with other local new brothers and sisters. I am very excited about these classes as it gives me a chance to meet other new brothers and make new Muslim friends. The class instructor is great and replies to email questions I have, and he has offered to work with me on some class work I have missed due to a family emergency. Also, I still get phone calls from the brother I took the Shahada with in my first phone call. It is nice to have the follow-up support since no one I know is a Muslim, and so many are misinformed, as I once was.

Other sites: Another helpful site is Islamic Finder ( http://www.islamicfinder.org/ ). I will let you check it out and find out all the helpful information it contains. A very entertaining and informative website for both Muslims and non-Mulims alike is Ummah Films ( http://www.ummahfilms.com/ ). Baba Ali's short films will put a smile on your face as you learn, or are reminded, about life as a Muslim. There are several other sites which I have found, but I will not link them at this time. The above sites are great places for one to start their journey, or to rediscover Islam.