Ahead of Ramadan, Filipina convert finds religion of peace and tranquility

The 28-year-old special education needs teacher in Dubai credits her life-changing decision to embrace Islam in part to a Muslim friend who helped her understand Islam.

Katrina Yap, who took a new name Safiyah after converting to Islam, is looking forward to her first Ramadan. Satish Kumar / The National

DUBAI // Katrina Yap left her Roman Catholic roots and embraced Islam this week, just in time for Ramadan.

The 28-year-old special education needs teacher in Dubai credits her life-changing decision in part to a Muslim friend who helped her to understand the tenets and practices of the faith. She started reading more about Islam and the holy Quran on the internet.

“He did not force me to convert,” she said. “I really appreciated the teachings of Islam and Muslims’ way of life.”

On May 29, she and three other Filipinas attended an Islamic lecture and recited the shahada, or the testimony of faith, at the Islamic Information Centre in Satwa. She took the Muslim name Safiyah.

Conversion to Islam is a simple process that requires the convert to say the shahada in the presence of two witnesses. He or she must then adhere to Islam's four other pillars, including prayer, fasting during Ramadan, giving an annual percentage of net worth to charity and going to Mecca at least once for pilgrimage.

“I think it’s the best decision I’ve made since arriving in Dubai seven months ago,” Ms Yap said. “I particularly like the consistency of prayer in Islam. It’s a religion of peace, tranquility and charity.”

For converts to Islam, the first Ramadan as a Muslim can be both exciting and challenging.

“I feel nervous and excited at the same time,” Ms Yap said. “To prepare myself for the fasting month, I don’t eat from 5pm to 5am, but drink lots of water to rehydrate.”

She was among 110 people of various nationalities who converted to Islam with the help of the Islamic Information Centre.

They were mainly from the Philippines, the others were from the US, UK, Cameroon, Ghana, Panama, Brazil, India, Indonesia and the Netherlands, according to Yahya Maquiran, a preacher at the centre since 2001.

The centre teaches non-Muslims about Islam and new Muslims about its principles.

“Many converts were drawn to Islam’s clear, intelligible teachings, particularly that of God’s complete oneness,” Mr Maquiran said.

People convert to Islam for various reasons, said Dr Nasr Raciles, the administrator of the New Muslim Centre in Abu Dhabi, which provides basic Islamic studies for new Muslims and non-Muslims.

“Many believe and are fully convinced that there should only be one God, and He alone is the Sustainer and Creator,” he said.

“A number have read books, watched YouTube videos and attended Islamic lectures, and discovered Islam through their Muslim friends.”

Fifty-four people embraced Islam last month at his centre. Of those, 46 were Filipinos, and the rest were from Nigeria, Uganda, Cameroon, Ukraine and China.

Converts to Islam have just made the biggest decision of their lives, and may not get the full support of their families.

“I’m still finding the right time to tell my parents and three brothers back home,” Ms Yap said.

“I’m living my life now in peace with myself and others, and hope that they will understand and accept my decision.”