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The battle of Karbala, ‘the everlasting stand’ is an old story but one that we replay each year and one that I wish to reveal by a new method. I will be presenting a series that is visually abstract but emotionally moving. The ten pieces will be approximately 8 feet by 4 feet wide on mylar (a flexible, semi –transparent material). I chose to use this material so that the works can easily be transported for exhibition as well as the fact that it suits the tactile surface I will need to represent the work as I envisioned it. I want the works to be touched as well as viewed, to enhance the viewers experience and to bring them closer to the piece. Their size alone will help the viewer understand the impact of this event on history. The ten pieces of art will be a mixed media adding textures and sound that I hope will allow the viewer to experience the past and encourage them to learn more.. My goal is that you walk into this room and feel the air of Karbala, the mood is set, I wish to grab the emotions of the viewers and inshallah try to reveal the tragedy of this event in history through my art.  

Almost all Muslims believe that Muslim reverts are more 'true' Muslims than born Muslims. This may be because reverts get interested in knowing about Islam with questions being born in their minds which born Muslim apparently lack. How can a born Muslim have a motivation to know his religion more deeply?

I have heard some Muslims say this before and I think what they are referring to is that Reverted Muslims tend to all have one thing in common, the need to know the truth about Islam and the desire to learn as much as they can about their deen. Reverts are often the type of people who break away from the rest of the pack regardless of the difficulties to themselves provided it’s what feels right.

To study Islam, to become a Muslim is a very different way of life but one that is fully embraced by the Revert type. Once we learn about Islam we are in love with our faith and Allah(swt) and with this comes strength. I’ve come to believe that the born Muslims who are not as committed to their faith are much like some westerners who are distracted by the material world and events in their life that take from what is truly important. They have come to take their religion for granted and the desire to learn about Islam has all but disappeared. Sometimes even mixing their culture with Islam and not even knowing that at times it vastly contradicts the Qur’an and Sunnah.

There are some who have said that they have become inspired by Reverted Muslims and have rediscovered their faith after having them in their lives. It comes down to rediscovering this amazing religion, the words of Allah(swt) are there for us in the Holy Qur’an, the words of Allah(swt)!!! Do you understand what I’m saying? 

I honestly can’t get over it, at times; these are the words of our creator, the magnificent, and the merciful. Stop, and take the time to understand that there truly is a creator, he has given us life, he has given us all that we see, feel, love. WE exist because of HIM. Stop, and consider what we know. We know that Allah(swt) is real, that he does exist, we know that the Prohpet Muhammad (pbuh) was the true messenger and last of the Prophet’s of our Lord. We know that all that he recited to bring forth the Qur’an is true and are the words of Allah(swt). This is a way of life, a message given to us to change our ways, to be the best we can be, to find peace, to end suffering, to fund the poor, to shelter the old/widowed/orphaned, to be loved and to love, to live in a diverse community of Muslim men and women finding unity within our common goals, a guideline has been laid out for us.

All of this is there in front of us, just stop and look and understand the truth. Stop and say Lord increase my knowledge, as it is the key to a just and fulfilling life in this world.  Take the time to learn more about Islam and keep those who are pious and truth seekers near your side. The more you discover the closer you become.

How do Sunni Muslims, especially reverts, react to your website? How do you interact with them? 

 I have not had any bad reactions from any Sunni Muslims on the site or forum. They come and add their remarks and to my surprise have even pointed reverts to the revertmuslims.com website from their own sites. I have had the occasional Internet hacking problem that may be brought on by people not wishing for the site to exist but so far nothing too serious. We did have someone recently post offensive material but we quickly removed it and I am not sure who it was or what religion they may have been. I wish to show tolerance for the different views and my hope is that when they visit they will see the truth.

Many Reverted Muslims become Sunni first because they often live in a predominant Sunni community and are steered that way. They are sometimes moved further away when they are shown the common misconceptions of Shi’a and they are then discouraged to learn about the sect. I feel confident that the Sunni or the Muslims who have not yet found their way will learn the truth when they visit the site and inshallah will change their path. I recently received a nice email from a fully Reverted Muslim family from Sunni to Shia and they were so pleased to find our site and were enthusiastic and thrilled to be able to talk to others who have also discovered the truth. I have come to talk to born Sunni Muslims who reverted to Shia Islam and they speak much the same way as Reverted Western Muslims. When Allah(Swt) wishes to guide you, you are filled with the desire and passion to learn more and to become closer to Allah(Swt). Alhamdulillah

Please explain more about the theme of the first ever International Revert Conference, i.e. 'Preparing the Way for Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his return)'. Why did you chose this as the theme? 

I love the theme so much, it really warms my heart. My dear friend sister Fatimah, a reverted Muslim from Quebec, who is our events coordinator, came up with this theme idea. The sister's explanation was that as Muslims we have a tendency to say ‘Oh Allah Please hasten the reappearance of the 12th Imam’ Which is nice, but we should follow up these noble statements with actions. We should be in an active state of waiting. As we wish to convey through this conference, this state of waiting is not docile, but mobile. We need to arouse our senses and prepare our minds for his reappearance.

The newly reverted Muslim should be made aware of the importance of this Imam of our time. We often speak of the Mahdi (AS) as if he existed a long time ago, ONLY, but as we should remind ourselves he is the Imam of our time. He is here now. It is so easy for us to put our faith and trust in Allah(swt) even though we do not see Allah(swt) but it is, for some reason, harder for us to imagine the Imam, a human, here present today. Why do we struggle with this? Let us remind ourselves that Allah(swt) can do all, can create all things, to have the Imam here is so easy for Allah(swt). Inshallah our message will come clear for those who attend our conference.

I am so grateful to have the help of the very committed sister Fatimah along with all the other great and pious members of our conference committee board and volunteers. This first ever International Revert Conference is set for April 2007 for more information I urge you to visit the revertmuslims.com website.

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