Treatment of Converts/reverts to Islam

It is the responsibility of every Muslim to call others to Islam and enlighten people about its authentic teachings. Converts, or more accurately "reverts" (those who are not raised Muslims but freely choose to become so), have certain traits that put them in a more powerful position to call for the path of Allah in the West.

First, reverts have strong faith and character. For the sake of Allah and His message, they isolated themselves from their old world, often having to stand fast for their beliefs and endure hardship from family members and friends.

A second important factor is that these reverts and their ancestors were born here in the United States or in the West in general. One sister who reverted to Islam seven years ago said: �My ancestor John Morton signed the Declaration of Independence. One of my ancestors served directly under General George Washington in the Revolutionary War. I have others in my family who also served in the Revolutionary War as regular soldiers. Basically my family came to America as colonists in the late 1600's and early 1700's. They came from England, Scotland and Ireland.� These new Muslims, who were born and raised in the West, have the privilege of knowing both worlds. They have acquired enough Islamic knowledge to enable them to make the critical decision to revert, and they also know and understand the society that they lived and grew up in. Hence, they can easily act as a connecting link between both worlds, conducting effective dialogue and delivering the message of Allah to non-Muslims without being told to go back to their countries.

Such reverts can effectively educate the American public about genuine Islam, free from cultural distortions, in order to preserve Islam as a religion, protect Muslims, and fulfill our duty as vicegerents of God on earth.

However, does the rest of the Muslim community provide these Muslim reverts with the support and genuine sense of brotherhood and sisterhood which they so urgently need? Do the members of the Muslim community who were fortunate enough to be born and raised Muslims put the necessary effort into integrating these new groups into the mainstream Muslim community, to allow them to participate in all Islamic activities, particularly da`wah efforts? Alternatively, are these reverts fulfilling their duties towards Islam? What are the factors that would allow them to more effectively perform da`wah?

We asked a number of reverts from diverse ages and backgrounds a few questions, to shed some light on these crucial issues. Did they feel that the Muslim community met their expectations in providing the emotional and psychological support they needed?

The answer varied. One sister said: �I do not think that the Muslim community provides help for Muslims who are in need of emotional or psychological support,� while another recalled that she was lucky to have been supported by a Muslim family who were her close friends. A third said that, in accordance with the Islamic principles of brother- and sisterhood, she expected much more support than what she actually got.

We also asked if they felt that Islamic institutions offered enough opportunities for them to learn more about Islam's teachings and way of life. The answer was yes; there are available sources and opportunities for Islamic education, but they are limited and do not provide much opportunity for growth. In other words, new Muslims are gladly welcomed and introduced to Islam, but are often neglected once they convert.

Finally, we asked them if they felt they were sufficiently involved in da`wah activities, to help educate people who've heard nothing but negative propaganda about Islam, and what they felt needed to be done to make them more effective in fulfilling this "heavy" duty. One sister said: �I think it is difficult to participate in da`wah activities without the fear of being harassed by the government. I am not sure how I could become more active.� Another replied: �Actually I see this as an obligation and opportunity; heavy duty, no.� 

We, as a Muslim community, need to be more sensitive to the needs of new reverts, who are struggling with many problems to adjust to their new lives, and in many cases experience hostility from and ostracism by their relatives and friends. We have to get out of our comfort zone, extend a hand to those who are outside our close circles, and invite them to participate in our activities. One idea might be to assign a mentor family to maintain a close relationship with each recent revert. All of us can learn from one another. Reverts can continue to learn about Islamic teachings and exchange knowledge with their brothers and sisters who were born Muslims.

Islam allows us to overcome any barrier presented by culture, race, or ethnicity that might hinder communication exchanges. In such an environment, everyone can work at his or her full potential to accomplish the main mission of our lives as Muslims: The establishment of Allah's message on earth as the only way to achieve prosperity, justice, and peace for all humanity and God�s creatures, not by seeking to convert everyone on earth, but by making everyone hear the message of pure and genuine Islam.