Over the past three and a half years, Emre Şahin, a 33-year-old imam at Berlin’s Mevlana Mosque in the Kreuzberg district, has witnessed around 90 individuals embrace Islam.
Fluent in Turkish, German, and Arabic, Şahin delivers multilingual sermons and provides religious education—especially in German—to connect more effectively with younger generations, Daily Sabah reported.
Born and raised in Berlin, Şahin left Germany at the age of 20 to pursue theological studies in Istanbul and later in Jordan.
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He returned to serve as a religious leader under the Islamic Society National Vision (IGMG), a well-established organization across Europe.
“About 80% of those who come here are already prepared,” Şahin shared, noting that many of those who convert have spent months or even years studying Islam independently before stepping into the mosque.
He explained that Mevlana Mosque serves not only as a place of worship but also as a welcoming space for non-Muslims interested in learning more about Islam. The mosque frequently hosts guided tours and open discussions, offering a space for dialogue and understanding.
Şahin sees his role as both a spiritual guide and mentor. “I approach them like a teacher does a student, offering guidance,” he said.
He encourages new Muslims to explore authentic Islamic teachings and gradually establish consistent prayer practices. “Through practicing worship, they will find peace in their hearts, and God will forgive all their previous mistakes,” Şahin said.
Ongoing Support
Recognizing that the journey doesn’t end at conversion, Şahin stressed the importance of ongoing support. Converts, he explained, can face spiritual and emotional challenges in their early days as Muslims.
“Satan tries harder with them, and if we don’t take care of them, they might return to their old ways,” he cautioned.
While many converts are local Germans, others are international visitors who discover Islam while in Berlin. With consent, Şahin occasionally shares photos of new Muslims on social media, seeing it as a way to foster a sense of community and inspire prayers.
“When someone becomes Muslim, they will pray, ‘May Allah protect them,’” he said.
One story that stood out to Şahin was that of a 53-year-old woman who embraced Islam after trying to fast during Ramadan.
She told him, “I started fasting for one day, and it lasted the entire month. At the end of Ramadan, I felt like something was missing. I thought to myself, ‘Why not become Muslim?’”
Reflecting on such moments, Şahin observed that converts often have a uniquely deep connection to the faith because of the personal journey that led them there.