Visiting Greece now as a Muslim – I was nervous and excited

 By Stefanie Danopoulos, 28 years old

The last summer I visited Greece was in 1999. That time I was already reading about Islam and did a lot of thinking. When I came back to Holland I decided to convert to Islam. And after a few months I started to wear the veil, hijab.

I lost contact with my family for almost two years. When I had my first child the contact slowly became better.

My parents always told me that it was not possible to go back to Greece with my hijab. And my biggest problem was that I don’t speak Greek.

My father is from Greece (Korinthos) and my mother is from Holland. I was born and raised in Holland but we traveled to Greece every year in the summer. I think that it is really important that you can explain to the people in their language why you dress that way.

A few months ago we had a conference in Holland and then I met Anna, a Greek Muslim sister. I was so happy and I even took her to my mother’s house to show her that there are Muslims in Greece. My mother was very surprised.

A few months later, they had a meeting in Greece for the Muslims Association of Greece. My parents and sisters were all in Greece and Anna told me that I had to come. And I told my parents I had plans to come and they said that I was welcome. So I booked my ticket and finally after 11 years I came back to Greece.

I was very nervous but also very excited.

The first two days I spent at the conference in Athens meeting other Greek Muslims, alhamdulillah! I had a very nice time.

And I thought that everybody would look at me in a bad way but they did not even care. 

Then I met my family in Ancient Korinthos. I was very, very nervous about the reactions. When I arrived some friends of my parents were waiting for me. They were very happy to see me and one friend of my father asked if I came from dancing because of my clothes. So my mother told him that it is a new fashion. I spoke to some relatives and nobody said crazy things.

I noticed that most of them speak English, so thank God, that was very nice. I didn’t really have the chance to tell them something about Islam because I was there only one day and my parents wanted to show me everything. They were so happy that I came.

I had a great time. And, God willing, next year I will go back to Greece with my husband and kids.

I spent my last day in the island of Andros. It was very beautiful and I even swam in the sea.  Also the people there were very nice and I did not feel left out or something.

In Holland, people look at you in a different way, but I think that it is because of the negative media attention. So most people in Holland see Islam in a bad way and they feel threatened by veils and beards and long dresses. In Greece I felt very relaxed.

I had a great experience and I will go back again for holiday, God willing!

Taqwa-Piety

The Conditions of Tawheed

Source: I Love Allah (fb)

Tawheed is the mother of all obligations. Without it, you cannot be a Muslim and all of your good deeds are ineffective. It is vital for one to understand the pillars and conditions of Tawheed in order to ensure that he/she is a real Muslim. Failure to fulfil any condition or pillar of Tawheed will nullify a person’s Eemaan and Islam, and hence will either be a Mushrik or Murtad (apostate). The conditions of Tawheed are as follows:

1. Al-’Ilm – Knowledge

Allah (swt) says in the Qur’aan: “So know that Laa ilaaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)…” (EMQ Muhammad, 47: 19)

If you testify that there is no ilaah worthy of worship and obedience, you must also know and understand all of Allah’s (swt) attributes and functions or you will become Mushrik.

We are obliged to study, learn and know about Allah (swt); what He likes and dislikes, loves and hates, His names and attributes etc.

You can only testify that which you have knowledge about. Therefore, if someone claims to be a witness, and he is asked about what he has seen, and replies: “I’m not sure”, this person is completely daft as he testifies to something which he has no knowledge of. Similar to this person is the one who testifies the Kalimah, yet he does not understand what it means.

Allah (swt) says: “This (Qur’aan) is a Message for mankind (and a clear proof against them), in order that they may be warned thereby, and that they may know that He is the only One Ilaah (God – Allah) – (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and that men of understanding may take heed.” (EMQ Ibraaheem, 14: 52)

2.        Al-Yaqeen – Certainty

Knowledge is not enough, as many kuffaar know about Islam but they do not believe in it nor do they have certainty about it. Allah says: “Only those are the believers who have believed in Allah and His Messenger, and afterwarddoubt not but strive with their wealth and their lives for the cause of Allah…” (EMQ Hujaraat, 49: 15), and the Messenger Muhammad (saw) said: “Whoever testifies that there is no god worthy of worship and obedience but Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah, without any doubt he will enter Jannah.” (Saheeh Muslim)

3.        3. Al-Qubool – Acceptance

After having knowledge and certainty, you MUST accept. Some people may believe, have knowledge, and have certainty, but may not accept, as it may be too difficult for him or he may not accept out of his own personal desires. Allah (swt) says: “Truly, when it was said to them: ‘Laa ilaaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)’ they puffed themselves up with pride (i.e. denied it).” (EMQ as-Saaffaat, 37: 35)

4.        4. Al-Inqiyaad – Submission

Allah (swt) says: “But nay, by your Lord, they can have no Eemaan, until they make you (Muhammad [saw]) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.” (EMQ an-Nisaa’, 4: 65)

Allah (swt) describes those who do not submit to Him as disbelievers, and swears to this by Himself. Having knowledge, certainty and acceptance is not enough; you must also have submission with no haraj (discontent). You must submit to Allah, and all His names and attributes. Allah (swt) also says: “There is no compulsion in the religion. Verily, the right path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taaghout and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break (i.e. he will have submission). And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.” (EMQ al-Baqarah, 2: 256)

5.        As-Sidq – Believing

Allah says: “When the hypocrites come to you (saw), they say: ‘We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah.’ Allah knows that you are indeed His Messenger and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are liars indeed.” (EMQ al-Munaafiqoon, 63: 1)

Allah testifies that the Munaafiqoon are liars as they claim to be Muslims but they do not believe. Thus, believing is a condition of Tawheed

6.        6. Al-Ikhlaas – sincerity

Allah says: “And they were commanded not, but that they should sincerely (with Ikhlaas) worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him), and perform As-Salaat and give Zakaat: and that is the right religion.” (EMQ al-Bayyinah, 98: 5)The Messenger Muhammad (saw) said: “The one who says ‘there is none worthy of worship but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah’ seeking sincerelyto see the face of Allah, Allah will forbid him from Hell-fire.” (Al-Bukhaari and Muslim

7. Al-Mahabbah – love

After having knowledge, certainty, acceptance, submission, belief and sincerity; you must also love those whom Allah (swt) tells you to love, and hate those whom He tells you to hate.

Greeks rethought and met each other!

Ramadan Timetable for Greece

Our next event: 6th September 2009

Greeks rethought and met each other!

Apprehensive, nervous, excited.

What was the matter? It was our first on line Paltalk gathering. After furious preparations with announcements, giving and receiving instructions of how to use Paltalk, and a lot more, the moment was here. Now we were actually going to hear and speak to our brothers and sisters who were to attend.

What was crossing my mind?

Is my Internet going to let me down? Am I going to overcome my apprehension and be clear and coherent? And am I going to choke and cough? This is the funny side. Sister Anna Stamou who hosted the event had a lot more to worry about. Being in Andros and having fires burning just across from where she was, was wondering if her power supply would be cut off. We all at the Greeks Rethink and Muslim Association of Greece team were holding our breath.

We were all so excited that the pre-gathering nerves and worries were forgotten. At last.  Face to face and personal.

The gathering started with a short dua recited by Br. Naim Elghadour of MAG, then some simple instructions of the use of Paltalk by Br Amir, introductions and we were ready to start and get close and personal….

Sister Anna made everybody feel relaxed and the conversation was just like a river flowing. Also, sister Iman who was supposed to relax and did not, made everybody feel at ease with an amazing voice of a 17 year old (as she was complimented). Masha Allah.

We did not feel like strangers. We all (and I dare speak on behalf of everybody) felt that we knew each other so well.

We shared our stories and Ramadan experiences in our respective countries of residence. The Ramadan spirit and the relaxed mood made me share confidences and Br. Hayrullah was a marvelous shoulder to cry on and also loads of laugh. So much so that we asked him to host our next gathering coming soon.

I have to say that some of my fears became true. At the crucial point of introducing myself I got disconnected. But Alhamdulillah. It all went well. Till next time. Coming on the 6th September 2009. Please use the link for more information.

Journey to Islam: Maria in Cyprus

My name is Maryam (formally Maria). I was born and brought up in North London and now live in Nicosia with my husband. My husband is Muslim ma sha Allah and I am very proud of him. We were married last year registered hence the (then) different religions, me being Christian Orthodox and he being Muslim.

We went to Morocco to meet his family and took a site seeing tour
of the country. To cut a long story short, whilst driving I missed an exit so I had to drive about 10 minutes more to find the next exit to proceed to Marakkesh.

With us, we had my brother-in-law and their friend. The three were talking and I continued driving until I suddenly saw with my own eyes something which is one of the most incredible and beautiful of Allah’s creations. Allah’s name written crystal clear in the clouds.

Remember, I was Christian and knew absolutely nothing of signs of Allah or anything to do with Islam, but seeing the clouds opened me up deeply and alone I realised what I was seeing. To make sure, I said to my husband to see what I was pointing at and he confirmed it. So beautiful. When we arrived at his family’s home after a few days touring he told them what I had seen and they too said it was a sign. That is how I took it. A SIGN.

After returning to Cyprus, I started to read more into Islam, the miracles, the videos of debates between Ahmed Deedat and Christian priests, and then I realised that I was taking Islam more into my heart day by day. Even from the beginning when my husband was praying salat five times a day, I would try to take a peek into how he prayed and what he recited, fixing the salawat for him and memorising surah Al-Fatihah.

I asked him how one becomes Muslim and he told me that firstly you must believe that Allah is alone and has no partners, sons, mother or father, that the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) is Allah’s messenger, prophet and slave and that Jesus is a prophet and NOT THE SON OF GOD. Of course, being brought up in a Christian Orthodox religion it is quite hard to take this all in since I was not taught anything but Christianism (even when I use to go Greek school it was in a church).

Slowly, slowly, I started to read more into Islam, asking my husband questions and remembering what I saw in Morocco. My husband started to have dreams about me and Islam and he would tell me the following morning. That, for me, was it… I wanted to be a Muslimah in sha Allah.

So after learning finally the truth about Islam, I learned the shahada and one glorious day put my hand on the Holy Qu’ran and said the words Ashadu ana la ilaha illallah wa Muhammadin abduhu wa rasulllullah.

There it was…. I became a Muslimah…. ALHAMDU LILAH… Then my husband taught me how to do my wudu and we started praying salat together. ALHAMDU LILAH.

Also, my husband had a beautiful dream about me and Islam. One night he said goodnight to me but instead of me answering good night, all I heard myself say was, ”Please don’t say anything to me as I am praying,” and I was. I reciting Al-Fatihah until I closed my eyes and slept. I really didn’t realize to be honest what had happened that night until he explained to me the following morning.

Yet, after being a Muslimah for a year now, my parents do not know. I know how it will affect them and am too scared to face them. I know they will not accept me and I love them so much. Even though my mother has realised a big change in me since I don’t wear my cross anymore from when I was christened and since I don’t enter the church. If I do for a funeral or wedding I cannot stay for long and try to find an excuse to leave. I simply cannot enter it.

I will never regret converting. Allah answer’s my prayers and I feel a warm presence of angels surrounding me when I read Qu’ran, recite even a little of the surahs. I know and try as a good Muslimah to commit myself to completing the five pillars of Islam. In sha Allah, when we have enough money, we will do Hajj.

May Allah’s peace and blessing be upon everyone and your families.

Maryam

Notes:

Ma sha Allah – Allah wills it
Salah – prayer
Salawat – prayers
Surah – chapter
Al-Fatihah – The Opening
Pbuh- peace be upon him
Muslima – Muslim woman
Shahadah – the statement you recite to become Muslim:
Ashadu ana la ilaha illallah wa Muhammadin abduhu wa rasulllullah.
There is no object worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is His slave and messenger.
In sha Allah – if Allah wills
Alhamdu lillah – all praise is to Allah

Jihad: my post-conversion struggle

Ramadan 2009 Timetable for Greece

Jihad: my post-conversion struggle

By Adam Christodoulou

Read in Greek

Everyone, non-Muslim or Muslim goes through personal struggles throughout their life. These struggles in Islam are know as jihad. Allah (swt) has designed these jihad for us to test our faith. As we go through these jihads, we have to remain steady in our love for Allah (swt) and Islam.  Today, I want share a personal jihad with you that I went through recently.

A week ago, my wife and I were walking down the street talking about how we miss alcohol. Then, I was thinking to myself, why don’t we buy some liquor for tonight and only tonight? I told my wife that we are going to the store to buy alcohol.

She was like “Ok, we’ll need to buy some after a rough day at work and school.” I am like, “I agree. We need some, however, we will only drink tonight.” She replied, “Ok, let’s do it.” We head towards the store.

Meanwhile, in my head the good was fighting the evil. The good side was saying, “Adam, Allah is watching you. Alcohol is haram you can go to hellfire.” The evil side was saying, “Adam Allah will forgive you. He will understand”.  I saw the store and told my wife we can’t do this. We are Muslim and we can’t drink. Al hamduillah, we come through this alhamdu lillah. We walk away from the store Alhamdu lillah.

During the same week we went through another challenge (jihad). My wife wanted to take off the hijab and I was going to go back to the Roman Catholic faith. During that week, we were having religious problems with my family in Greece and personal problems as well.

I just reached my limits with all the problems so I thought to solve all my problems and decided on a solution to go back to the Roman Catholic faith. However, my Muslim side of me told before I do this, I will reach out to all my Muslims brothers and sisters, Greek or not.

Alhamdu lillah, I reached out to all the Muslim brothers and sisters by posting “Leaving Islam?” on facebook as my status. Afterwards, a got more than a dozen message and emails from Greek Muslims and Muslims across the world alhamdu lillah. I felt that I had the support that I need, however, the local support was smaller and more difficult to find. Khair it’s all good.  After emailing sisters and brothers and talking to them over the phone we got through the jihad. The most important thing that I did was I turned to Allah (swt) and ask for his forgiveness and his support. Alhamdu lillah it arrived. We are proud Muslims.

Jihads will always come at us at the worst time of our lives, however, if we turn to Allah (swt) inshallah we will get through the jihad. In addition, we can also turn to our brothers and sisters for support. We are here for each other and we all go through the same struggles. Whether it is the wearing the hijab, drinking or other haram acts. We need to stay on the right path for the love of Allah (swt).

Adam Christodoulou

–

Note: Jihad literally means struggle and the best struggle is conquering personal struggles within yourself.

Τζιχαντ……. Ο προσωπικός μου αγώνας.

Προγραμμα Ραμαζανιου 2009 για την Ελλαδα

Τζιχαντ……. Ο προσωπικός μου αγώνας.

Του Αδάμ Χριστοδούλου

Read in English

Όλοι, Μουσουλμάνοι και μη, κατά την διάρκεια της ζωής τους περνούν προσωπικούς αγώνες. Αυτοί οι αγώνες στο Ισλάμ, είναι γνωστοί ως τζιχαντ. Ο Αλλάχ (Ο Ύψιστος) έχει σχεδιάσει αυτούς τους αγώνες για εμάς, για να δοκιμάσει την πίστη μας. Και καθώς περνούμε αυτούς τους αγώνες στην ζωή μας  πρέπει να παραμένουμε σταθεροί στην αγάπη μας για τον Αλλάχ  (τον Ύψιστο) και για το Ισλάμ.

Σήμερα θέλω να μοιραστώ μαζί σας έναν προσωπικό αγώνα που πέρασα προσφατα. Πριν από μια εβδομάδα, η γυναίκα μου και εγώ περπατούσαμε και λέγαμε πόσο μας λείπει το αλκοόλ. Τότε μου πέρασε η ιδέα. Γιατί δεν αγοράζουμε αλκοόλ για απόψε και μονό γι’ απόψε; Είπα στην γυναίκα μου ότι θα πάμε στο κατάστημα να αγοράσουμε αλκοόλ. Αυτή απάντησε “ Εντάξει, γιατί όχι; Θα πρέπει να αγοράσουμε μετά από μια δύσκολη μέρα στην δουλεία και στο σχολειό.” Και εγώ συμφώνησα: “Μας χρειάζεται αλλά θα πιούμε μονό απόψε. ” Αυτή απάντησε: “ Εντάξει, ας το κάνουμε”, και αρχίσαμε να κατευθυνόμαστε προς το κατάστημα.

Εν τω μεταξύ στο μυαλό μου ήταν ένας πόλεμος μεταξύ του κάλου και του κακού. Η καλή πλευρά έλεγε :” Ο Αλλάχ σε βλέπει . Το αλκοόλ είναι απαγορευμένο και θα πας στην κόλαση.” Η κακή πλευρά έλεγε  “Αδάμ ο Αλλάχ καταλαβαίνει και θα σε συγχωρέσει.” Όταν φτάσαμε στο κατάστημα , η γυναίκα μου, μου είπε: “Όχι δεν μπορούμε να το κάνουμε αυτό. Είμαστε Μουσουλμάνοι και δεν επιτρέπεται να πίνουμε.” Δόξα τω Θεώ το ξεπεράσαμε και ξανά δόξα τω Θεώ απομακρυνθήκαμε από το μαγαζί.

Κατά την διάρκεια της ίδιας εβδομάδας είχαμε και άλλη πρόκληση. Η γυναίκα μου ήθελε να βγάλει το  χιτζαμπ. Επίσης εγώ σκόπευα να επιστρέψω στην Ρωμαιοκαθολική πιστή. Και την ιδία εβδομάδα είχα και προβλήματα θρησκευτικής πιστής με την οικογένεια μου στην Ελλάδα.

Όλα αυτά με έκαναν να ξεπεράσω τα όρια μου και σκέφτηκα ότι με το να ξαναγυρίσω στην Ρωμαιοκαθολική πιστή, θα λυθούν όλα τα προβλήματα.

Ωστόσο η Μουσουλμανική μου πλευρά μου είπε να απλώσω και να φτάσω τους Μουσουλμάνους και Μουσουλμάνες αδελφούς και αδελφές, Έλληνες και μη.

Δόξα τω Θεώ πλησίασα όλα τα αδέλφια μου αφήνοντας ένα μήνυμα στο Facebook  “Αφήνοντας το Ισλάμ”. Αμέσως μετά έλαβα πάνω από μια ντουζίνα μηνύματα και μηνύματα ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου από όλον τον κόσμο.

Ωστόσο η τοπική υποστήριξη ήταν μικρότερη και πιο δύσκολο να βρεθεί. Μετά από πιο πολλά μηνύματα ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου ξεπεράσαμε τον αγώνα. Και το πιο σημαντικό ήταν ότι στράφηκα προς τον Αλλάχ (τον Ύψιστο) και ζήτησα συγγνώμη και επίσης ζήτησα την υποστήριξη Του.

Οι αγώνες πάντα θα έρχονται στις χειρότερες στιγμές της ζωής μας. Αλλά πρέπει να στραφούμε  στον Αλλάχ  για υποστήριξη πρώτα και μετά στα αδέλφια μας. Είμαστε άδω ο ένας για τον άλλον. Όλοι περνάμε τους ίσιους αγώνες. Μπορεί να είναι το χιτζαμπ, το ποτό η οτιδήποτε απαγορευμένο.

Πρέπει να μείνουμε στον Ίσιο Δρόμο για χάρη του Αλλάχ (του Ύψιστου).

Αδάμ Χριστοδούλου

Moon sighted: Ramadan begins in Greece

Ramadan 2009 Timetable for Greece

Read in Greek

Asalamu Alaikom

We would like to inform you that the Muslim community of Greece will fast on Saturday based on Greek calculations.

The Muslim Association of Greece with reps from all national communitiesvisited the Athens Observatory this evening as usual and saw with their own eyes through the telescope.  The Sunni and Shia, Egyptians,  Greeks, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Kurds etc.  all united to start the fasting month on Saturday, 22nd August 2009.

Also note that the Muslim minority of Thrace will fast on Friday following the Balkan countries.

We would like to warmly thank  the Athens Observatory for their gracious cooperation.

I wish all of you a blessed Ramadan!

Photo gallery

Προγραμμα Ραμαζανιου 2009 για την Ελλαδα

Διαβαστε στα Αγγλικα

Προγραμμα Ραμαζανιου 2009 για την Ελλαδα

από την Μουσουλμανική Ενωση της Ελλάδας

Μπορειτε να παραλαβετε το εντυπο αντιγραφο

Aπο τα Κεντρικα Τζαμια της Αθηνας

και στο τηλεφωνο 210 4328471 Κα Ραμπαμπ

Προγραμμα Ραμαζανιου

http://equalsociety.com/wp-content/uplo … 30-web.pdf

Muslim woman banned from wearing a ‘burkini’ in a French swimming pool

Source: The Mail

The Burkini swimsuit  – designed to spare the blushes of Muslim women worldwide  -  was plunged into controversy yesterday.

A French mother was banned from wearing the three-piece outfit at her local swimming pool.

Carole, a 35-year- old Muslim convert, was told it was ‘ inappropriate’ on hygiene grounds, but she insists the ban is racial discrimination.

It follows French President Nicolas Sarkozy recently attacking Muslim burkhas as a ’sign of subservience’ for women and saying they should be banned.

Carole  -  who did not want her surname published  - bought her burkini for £40 during a holiday in Dubai.

She said: ‘I was told that it would allow me the pleasure of bathing without showing off my body, which is what Islam recommends’.

She approached a number of swimming pools before the manager of one in Emerainville, near Paris, said there would be no problem with the burkini.

Carole, who converted from Christianity when she was 17, insisted: ‘For me, it’s discrimination. I understand that the burkini can shock, especially as we’re in France, but what disturbs me is that this is a political issue.

I’m going to fight this problem through anti-racism groups, and if no solution is forthcoming I’ll consider leaving the country.’ She has made a formal complaint to police at nearby Meaux.

Yannick Decompois, swimming pools director for the Marne-la-Vallie area, said: ‘This isn’t anything to do with discrimination, but simply a hygiene problem. We also ban people wearing shorts in pools  -  it’s the same thing.’

French pools bar any clothes that can also be worn outside, where they can pick up dirt and contamination.

In June Mr Sarkozy risked the wrath of Muslims by backing demands for the full-body burkha to be banned, calling it a sign of the ‘debasement’ of women.

‘In our country, we cannot accept that women be prisoners behind a screen, cut off from all social life, deprived of all identity,’ he said.

The president was supporting a call by dozens of French politicians for the ban.

France has Western Europe’s largest Muslim population, an estimated 5million. But in 2004 it passed a law banning the Islamic headscarf and other conspicuous religious symbols from state schools, sparking fierce debate at home and abroad.

Comment:

As the proud owner of a burkini, I can assure you that the excuse of hygiene  issues are non existent. The burkini is made out of a light, easy to dry material, very suitable for swimwear and is an absolute must to women who wish to swim but also keep their modesty. The burkini is not something that a woman would choose to wear outdoors. I have used the burkini in my local pool and it has not been a problem. I can see  now that another debate is going to arise. My question: “Who is oppressing Muslim women? Islam or the West?”

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