Portuguese Mariana Tafaris and Romanian Maria Serbo, two women who got to know Islam and converted to it recently, changed their entire life, but they were subjected to some negative situations in their country because of Islamophobia.
The two women, who were presented to Istanbul for the purpose of studying, said that they were to know Islam completely change their lives, and allowed them to break the stereotypes that dominated their surroundings, according to the Anatolia Agency.
– From preaching to Islam
Tafaris spoke to Anatolia about its upbringing in a family far from Islamic culture.
She added that she had a pasty pastor of Islamophobia as she was a Christian preaching, and one of the most supportive supporters of Israel, and it was a journey that transformed “very different and unexpected.”
Tafaris emphasized that the negative view of Islam in many societies is caused by ignorance.
She added that her vision of the good Muslims around her opened her heart to Islam, considering that this was the key to converting to Islam.
And she added: “When we are kind and apply what was mentioned in the Noble Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet, we can contribute to eliminating Islamophobia. Because by this we represent the true pure peace as God and His Messenger taught us.”
Tafaris stressed the need for Muslims to share their religion with the world through their daily behavior.
And she continued: “The vision of a good and sincere Muslim represents a real call to Islam. When I saw those around me, good Muslims, the stereotype that contributed to the media was faded. I think the best call to Islam is the life of the Muslim himself.”
– A difficult and difficult trip
As for Maria Serbo, coming from Romania, she explained to the Anatolia correspondent that she converted to Islam 6 years ago, specifically in 2019.
She said, “I started to know Islam out of Islamophobia that I heard from people. Curiosity led me to search.”
And she continued: “Everyone was saying bad things about Islam, and about veiled women. I wanted to know the truth. I read books about women in Islam, and I discovered that what is said is a shame on health. I read the Holy Qur’an in my language, so I changed my thoughts completely.”
Serbo confirmed that the journey of converting to Islam was influential and difficult, and that her entire life changed after her conversion to Islam.
And she continued, “I went to a mosque one day, and I called on God, saying, O Lord, show me the truth, if Islam is the right path, then guide me to it, then you are the able.”
That night, she saw in a dream that she had become a Muslim and wore the veil. The next day, she went to the mosque and uttered the two testimonies, according to her speech.
– Ocean opposition
Serbo indicated that people’s view of her completely changed after her conversion to Islam.
And she added: “After I embraced Islam and wearing the veil, I faced many difficulties.
“But I held my choice despite the social environment opposition. It was really difficult days,” Serbo continues.
Serbo emphasized that the values of tolerance in Islam are enough to change misconceptions.
She concluded by saying: “The Prophet Muhammad – may God bless him and grant him peace – taught us to respect everyone. No one was insulting, but rather an example of respect. We taught us to respect everyone, regardless of religion, race or color.”
