The Silent Cry of New Muslims
Beyond the Anthem of Welcome: The Silent Cry of New Muslims
The Moment Before the Storm
The story always begins with a scene that fills hearts with joy; a man or a woman stands in the center of the mosque, utters the Shahadah (testimony of faith), and cries of “Allahu Akbar” rise. Hugs are shared, photos are taken, and smiles are gifted as we whisper in their ears a glittering phrase: “Welcome to your new family… you are now part of a global nation of two billion Muslims.”
But, have we ever wondered what happens once the mosque lights go out and everyone returns to their homes? The bitter reality is that these “new siblings” often wake up the next day to find themselves completely alone. The two billion we promised them yesterday are nowhere to be found today—not even two individuals remain to check on them. This is the “cold abandonment” that bears no resemblance to the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
A Community Within a Community: Disguised Isolation
New Muslims suffer from a harsh phenomenon accurately described in the video: “Feeling like a community within a community”. They are not truly woven into the original fabric of our society; instead, they remain permanent guests, invited to specific lessons and placed in designated corners, but never truly entering the depths of our social lives.
Imagine the magnitude of the sacrifice this person has made; they have changed their religion, perhaps lost their family, altered their dietary habits and clothing, and embarked on a grueling journey to reshape their identity. In exchange for this sacrifice, they sometimes face unjustified harshness from some Muslims. The video recounts heartbreaking stories of sisters who entered the mosque for the first time, only to be met with shouting because they entered through the wrong door or did not remove their shoes due to ignorance of etiquette. Instead of the mosque being a “sanctuary of peace,” it sometimes turns—due to the severity of some—into a place where the newcomer feels confused and inferior.
The Lonely Iftar Table: Where are the “Ansar”?
The hardest moments for a new Muslim are not learning how to pray or fast, but the profound loneliness during collective rituals. Imam Abid Khan mentions that some new Muslims spend the entire month of Ramadan eating their Iftar alone every single night. On the day of Eid, while families gather and laughter fills the homes, the new Muslim returns from the Eid prayer to a silent room, feeling the bitterness of loss and isolation on the most joyful of days.
Where do we stand in relation to the “Ansar” (the Helpers of Medina)? Those who did not stop at welcoming the Muhajirun (the Emigrants) in the mosque, but opened their homes to them, shared their wealth, and gave them preference over themselves, even though they were in need. The Ansar did not view the Emigrants as “strangers” or “second-class citizens”; they saw them as true brothers and sisters in blood and spirit.
Breaking Social Chains: The Issue of Equality and Marriage
One of the most controversial and revealing points regarding this issue is the community’s view of the “New Muslim” as an individual of unequal social standing, especially concerning marriage. We view their conversion as “heroic,” yet we reject them as spouses for our sons and daughters.
This superior gaze contradicts the very essence of Islam. A new Muslim who left their old life for the sake of Allah often possesses a faith that is stronger and deeper than many of those born into the faith. The Prophet ﷺ and his companions married and facilitated marriages for those entering the religion without looking at their ethnicity or their past in Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic period); the criteria were always faith and character.
A Call for Reconciliation with Ourselves
Our responsibility toward the new Muslim does not end with the Shahadah; rather, it begins there. We are in need of:
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Patience and Gentleness: Do not try to teach them every detail of the religion in ten minutes, and do not act as a “policeman” monitoring their mistakes. Remember that the Quran was revealed over 23 years.
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Opening Homes, Not Just Mosques: A new Muslim does not need a religious lecture as much as they need a “family.” An invitation for a cup of tea in your home might mean more to them than a hundred lectures.
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True Integration: They must feel that they are an integral part of the community, having the same rights and responsibilities as we do, without discrimination or a gaze of pity.
In Conclusion, A new Muslim is not a “project” that concludes with the utterance of the Shahadah; they are a brother and a sister—a trust (Amanah) upon our necks. If we do not open our hearts to them before the doors of our mosques, we are committing a sin against this religion that came to unite hearts, not to divide them. Let us be the “Ansar” of this time, and let us make them truly feel that they have returned “home,” not to a new “exile.”