I came to Islam pretty much on my own.

I was born and raised Roman Catholic, but I always had a deep fascination with the spiritualities of other cultures.

My Journey started when I desired to have a relationship with my creator. I wanted to find my spirituality, and not the one I was born with. I spent some time in the Catholic religious order known as the Franciscans.

I had many friends and I enjoyed prayer times, but it just seemed too relaxed in its faith, and there was, in my opinion, too much arrogance.

When I had returned back from the order into secular living again, I once again was searching for my way to reach God (Allah).

One night I was watching the news on television, and of course they were continuing their one-sided half-truth reports on Muslims (always in a negative light instead of balancing it by showing the positive side as well) with images of violence and terrorism.

I decided long ago that the news media has no morals whatsoever and will trash anyone for that “juicy story”, and I pretty much refused to believe anything they said. I decided to research Islam for myself and draw my own conclusions.

What I found paled all the negative images that the satanic media spewed forth. I found a religion deep in love and spiritual truth, and constant God-mindfulness. What may be fanaticism to one person may be devotion to another.

I picked up a small paperback Quran and began devouring everything I could. It opened my eyes to the wonder and mercy of God, and I found the fascination growing every day… it was all I could think about.

No other religion including Catholicism impacted me in such a powerful way… I actually found myself in God-awareness 24 hours a day 7 days a week… each time I went to my five daily prayers, I went with anticipation… finally! What I have been searching for all of my life.

I finally got enough courage to go to a mosque and profess the Shahadah before my Muslim brothers and sisters. I now am a practicing Muslim and I thank Allah for leading me to this place: Ashhahdu anna la ilaha ilallah wa anna Muhammadan rasul Allah!

This means: “I believe in the oneness of Allah and that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the chosen Prophet of Allah.”

I now also accept Jesus as no longer equal with God, but sent as Muhammad was sent … to bring all of mankind to submission to the will of God!

May all of mankind find the light and truth of God.

Ameen