Mathilde loujayne, a Revert to Islam, from French Islam Has Given Me Inner Peace and There is no Price for That

Assalaamu alaikum!

Thank you so much for this opportunity! Jazak Allah khair.

My website is www.biglittlestepsbook.com and you will find high res photos and videos in this link: https://1drv.ms/f/s!At0xBJ1UaCLfm0Q1QdbxRVDVRxOk

• First of all please tell us about yourself. (Name, Country, Job, Field of Study, Degree, Your back Ground, Age, Where Raised, and anything interesting about your back ground)

My name is Mathilde loujayne, I’m French and was partly raised in Oman. I hold a Master’s degree in Communications and I work in Dubai. I’m in my thirties and have a young daughter!

 

• How many brothers and sisters do you have? And how do you stand in your family?

My older brother passed away in his teenage years (Allahu yarhamu) so I’m the only child in my family now.

 

• Please tell us about your previous religion, before converting to Islam!

I grew up in a non-religious upbringing and when I was eight years old I realised there has got to be a higher power. I asked around who created us humans and the universe. At the time, we were living in the South of France and I went to a Catholic school, so my questions were quickly answered: God. I asked my parents if I could be baptised, and they were supportive of my new-found religion.

 

• How different was your previous religion with Islam?

Christianity gave me a strong education in all the Prophets and beautiful values such as love, compassion, forgiveness.

I feel like it was an essential step to propel me towards Islam, which was a natural and logical continuation of my spiritual journey. Islam brought clarification, light and logic to my religious knowledge.

 

• How did you become familiar with Islam? What specifically attracted you to Islam?

My parents moved to Oman, in the Middle East, when I was around eleven years old. I admired how elegant Muslim women looked and locals were so warm and welcoming that I fell in love with their culture.

 

• When and how did you convert to Islam? (please also talk about your last second before converting)

On September 11 I was shocked by the turn of events and felt protective of Muslims who had now become a target of accusations and hatred.

I was going through a time in my life when I wanted to learn about other religions and I welcomed the opportunity to start reading the Quran.

First of all, I wanted to make sense of what was going on in the world but I was also seeking answers. My main objective was to find the truth and the true message of God, unchanged by mankind.

I was in high school and a few days after my 18th birthday I asked my parents if I could convert to Islam. We talked a lot and they agreed, so I asked my school librarian how to become a Muslim. She put me in touch with a Sheikh who came over to our house and we all sat around the dinner table as I pronounced my shahada. It felt natural and like a huge stepping stone in my growth into adulthood and the consolidation of my beliefs. All I felt was excitement, positivity – it was pure bliss!

• When did your journey to Islam begin? (Your Opinion?)

My journey to Islam began when I was 9 years old from the very moment I started seeking answers – ever since, my journey has been about knowing God, understanding His message and it eventually led me to Islam.

 

• Did You Ever hesitate to say Shahadah?

No I never hesitated.

 

• How do you feel when you work for your Akherah (The other World)?

I take it upon myself as a duty which is why I decided to write a book for women, called ‘Big Little Steps: A woman’s guide to finding a balanced lifestyle and a glowing heart in Islam’.

 

• Did you have any problem with your family members when you accepted Islam?

Yes, my other family members were not as supportive as my parents! I was told by an aunt that I had psychological issues due to my brother’s passing.

 

• How did you come up with and Control the clashes with your family members?

As a teenager, I can’t say I controlled my emotions very well, it was painful to the core to feel rejected by my own family. There were a lot of tears and disappointments.

 

• Did they try to convince you not to revert to Islam?

No

 

• Did the people around you cut the relationship with you after converting to Islam?

Yes, a minority did. But looking back, my interests changed and some relationships just couldn’t survive and the equation worked in my favour as I met other converts like myself with whom we have a unique and profound understanding.

 

• What were your family members’ reactions when you were practicing Islam or doing your prayers?

It’s not something we ever talked about! Acceptance from my parents, and hiding from other family members.

 

• What was your feeling when you prayed for the first time? Wasn’t it hard for you to pray 5 times a day?

The first time I prayed 5 times a day was on the first day of my first Ramadan. I felt an incredible sense of accomplishment and was really proud!

 

• When and how did you announcing your convert to Islam?

I announced it right away at school. I didn’t make an announcement but news travel fast amongst teenagers!

 

• Did you think that Islam is a religion Just for Arabs? (before converting to Islam)

Yes, when I was nine years old and became a Christian, I became a Christian because I was French – I thought Islam was for Arabs and Judaism for the Jewish people. I couldn’t have been more wrong!

 

• How do you see the spread of Islam in your country?

I live in the UAE, and there are hundreds of converts on a monthly basis.

 

• Many people think that religions are the main cause of problems in the world today, did you believe that too?

I always knew people were the problem.

 

• Did you found anything illogical in your last religion? (How about Islam)

Yes, and Islam rectified all my confusions!

 

• Did you use Media like You Tube, Facebook, etc. to be more familiar with Islam?

I converted in 2002, and there was limited information for converts, which was really frustrating!

 

• How did you adapt yourself with new ethics of Islam?

Baby steps. This is one of the reasons why I called my book ‘Big Little Steps’ – it’s all about progress, continuity, aiming higher and becoming a better person than we were yesterday.

 

• How was the effect of reading the holy Quran for you? How did the holy Quran Influence you?

I was looking for the truth and the true word of God. When I realised that the Quran is authentic and as it was revealed from Angel Gabriel (RA) to the Prophet Mohammad (ﷺ), I took every word to heart.

 

• Why do most of the media attack on Islam? Why most of the Media are against Islam?

Politics, which I don’t want to get into!

 

• What’s your opinion about hijab? Has wearing hijab had any negative effects on your private life? Do you think it is only dedicated to women?

Modesty has been a struggle for me to understand and adapt to from day 1. My opinion changed once I understood that women don’t wear hijab to cover from men but rather for Allah. Now I see it as a symbol of self-respect, commitment, modesty, as long as it’s a thought-through decision and not imposed. In Islam, everything is about intentions!

 

• Has wearing hijab limited any activities of your normal life? 

No

 

• How do you analyze women’s right in Islam compared to what the West has propagated?

This was one of the reasons why I wanted to write my book and I delve into women’s rights.

 

• How do you analyze the family institution according to Christianity and Islam?

I respect both religions and ask for God to perfect us in our religions.

 

• As a convert, what way of inviting to Islam you believe is more effective on non-Muslims?

Leading by example! Showing that we have strong values, that we were informed and educated about our religion, that we can provide answers for questions and welcome questions from non-Muslims.

 

And how is your Tv programs in your country? Is it good for family?

I live in the United Arab Emirates, as a French expat. In Dubai, I don’t watch TV and have only subscribed to Netflix where there is suitable content for everyone in the family.

 

Tell us more about your book?

This book is an answer to all the people who have asked ‘But why did you convert?’. It’s also my personal advice to girls and women who want to learn about Islam, or who have converted to Islam. My mission is to share what I’ve learned over the years, backed up by beautiful verses from the Quran and narrations of the Prophet Mohammad (Peace be Upon Him). I want to share miracles found in the Quran and how it conveys to us a way of life that can help us heal from within. I take readers through all things related to faith, well-being, community, women and prayer – they are given the tools to become the best version of themselves.

Readers can expect to feel more in touch with their soul, to think deep about the whys and hows of their faith and to strengthen their spirituality. They will feel inspired by the strong, smart and vibrant Muslim women who made their mark throughout all ages (even though they’re not often – and enough – talked about).

They can expect to read about non-Muslims’ impressions of Islam, that may surprise them – from Will Smith to converts like Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) and to have an interactive experience while reading. There are margins on the side in which readers can write their thoughts, highlight questions, and go on the book’s website (www.biglittlestepsbook.com) for tutorials on how to pray and perform their ablutions.

 

• What is the most beautiful Ayah in Holy Quran? (Say your opinion)

There are so many beautiful verses of the Quran that I love and highlighted throughout the book. Some of these verses even take up a full page as I would like readers to reflect on them.

I decided to end the book with this beautiful verse to ponder upon:

Sahih International: And if whatever trees upon the earth were pens and the sea [was ink], replenished thereafter by seven [more] seas, the words of Allah would not be exhausted. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.

Verse (31:27)

 

• If you want to say some words about the beauty of Islam, the peace, the calmness you have found in this religion what do you say?

Islam has helped me grieve, Islam has given me inner peace and there is no price for that!

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