My conversion story

I am Swedish and have converted to Islam 11 years ago.

As a convert, you often get the question "How did you become a Muslim?". Muslims are usually overjoyed when they hear about a convert and become very curious. Others who think about Islam, and others who cannot even imagine it, also become curious as to what made one take the plunge.

I'm not going to tell my conversion story, because I don't see it as a story to tell. It was a process. There was no single thing that convinced me. I don't have an amazing trip to tell you about. Honestly, I don't remember all the thoughts and events that were going on then, more than 10 years ago. And there are also things that I don't want to tell others about.

But if I have to explain it somehow, I remember that I was in a period in my life when I was a seeker. I have always been a thinking type of person, like to turn and twist thoughts. I remember that I had come a little way in my search for knowledge about religions but did not really know what to do and that I prayed to God - "guide me". And I remember that it landed a conviction and a presence of God in the heart.

Many people I meet believe or ask if it was because of my husband that I converted. I met my husband about 2 years before. And I would probably have had a hard time getting to know anything about Islam without him. That's how it is when you live in Sweden, grow up in a homogenous society where the majority are atheists and it is never discussed whether God could even exist or not. But my last bit until the conversion was via the internet, websites and a woman who converted and then wrote a blog and who patiently answered my questions. I searched and I asked. My husband didn't know I thought about Islam that way and wasn't even in the mosque when I converted. I didn't let him. I wanted it to be my thing.

Since then it has been a journey and is constantly a spiritual journey.

"What made you start veiling?" (almost as common question)

I have an answer to that question. I wore a veil when I went to the mosque, everyone should, even non-Muslims, out of respect. I knew that the veil is obligatory for a Muslim. I put on the veil when I went to the mosque but then when I went out I took it off. But then felt that - why? I take it off so people won't stare or dislike it. Then I decided that I don't care what strangers think of what I wear and can't live my life after that so I decided to wear it all the time outside.

If you have more questions, feel free to ask them - but I can't promise that I can answer them. ;)