Page 11 - ADU Voice Volume 4 Issue 2
P. 11
Spring 2025 | Voice 10
Q. What were some really big challenges you Q. So, the Ramadan experience you had in
faced? Did you have a hard time telling your Abu Dhabi was a full month right? What
friend and family who aren’t Muslim and was something really memorable for you
maybe have certain perceptions? from that experience?
There’s a difference between my process, Oh my God, the happiness of eating! [laughs]
because when I was living in Abu Dhabi, I I had my cousin over visiting and I had the
could be open about it and it was no problem. confidence to tell her that I was doing Ramadan
I would tell everyone, and everybody would and stuff. She was like, “I can see the change of
be so happy about it…they were like, “Oh my your face when are ready to eat!” [laughs] and
God, I’m so happy for you”, and they were just also I felt that I was very depressed during the
so excited…that was amazing. Also, Ramadan day and then when I would eat, I would be so
felt like how it should feel, right? Because happy!
you’re part of a community and you would do
all of this together. The problem was when I Q. I think to end off the interview, what is
was in Spain; that was a big challenge, because advice you would give to somebody who is
many people here think that you might convert considering converting to Islam; they’re
because somebody sort of brainwashed you. thinking about it but they’re on the verge?
So, I wasn’t ready to really share with everyone
about this…I kept it strictly a secret, so I was a Because one of the things that was making
secret muslim [laughs]. Even at work, I would me feel like not taking the step was because
just leave and go to the changing room, and I sometimes they portray it like no, no, if you
would have a praying mat there. I would pray want to be a Muslim, you have to be perfect
there…It was very hard to keep up with it, even from minute one, right? You have to pray…
when I was having Ramadan, that was the worst for us, we drink so it’s like okay you have stop
part, because literally everyone is sitting around drinking, you have to stop doing this, you have
me and I’m like, No, I’m having intermittent to become perfect right away, right? …I would
fasting! [laughs] …But yet still, I didn’t tell say maybe for one year and a half (before
anyone (in Spain) I mean…I have been sending reverting), I was probably a Muslim already,
clues though, like I always say the best religion but I was just scared that maybe I wasn’t going
is Islam for me, but I guess everybody around be good enough for it. I would say any person
me sort of knows? My friends, they just like me that feels in their heart they’re Muslim, they’re
as I am so I guess it’s not something they need Muslim already. You don’t have to start doing
to ask, like they just see me as I am…but it’s everything right away, you can just do it step-
true that through Ramadan, I felt very lonely by-step and also look for information, as I did,
here.
to make sure you understand everything and
you’re comfortable with everything…it’s better
LISTEN TO INTERVIEW to do it slowly. But have it in your heart that
you are doing it for yourself, not for anyone
else, that is very important… and I am actually
very thankful, and I would like to stress in the
interview, I would like to thank my close friend,
her family, and her mother as well because she
would lead as well on this journey…I feel like I
was very lucky to meet the right people.
