Teachers articels
Department:
Teacher name:
Brandon
I Became a Muslim
Wrote by: Brandon
Most westerners who come to Saudi Arabia don’t do so because they are attracted to the culture.
Rather they drudge through a couple years of this or that job and in the end stimulate nothing more than their savings accounts.
For this reason, many are curious to hear what it is that has attracted me
so profoundly to the Saudi way of life and the answer is simple: Islam.
My knowledge of Islam prior to entering the Kingdom was typical for a
college graduate.
Although I was educated enough not to generalize all Muslims as terrorists or backward fundamentalists, the word Islam still conjured images of bearded extremists brandishing AK-47s and rocket launchers, shrouded women oppressed by society and their husbands, and strict punishments for any
form of self-expression or fun.
However, the reality I experienced was so far removed from these stereotypes that I felt the need to sincerely investigate the religion itself. It was this investigation, coupled with the personal experience of being warmly welcomed
into a Muslim society that led to my eventual embrace of Islam.
There is no doubt that Saudis are a very private people.
Now, after becoming a Muslim, I have in way gained access to their private lives, and I have found many hidden treasures not available to those outside the fold.
Therefore, fortunately, I will be leaving with a few things much more important than money.
These include a deep enough understanding of Islam and the culture of Saudi Arabia, and, most importantly, the ability to differentiate between the two.