Rediscovering Islam

Mariam eventually got married to a Palestinian Muslim she met through her uncle. The couple had two sons, now aged 3 and 18 months. It was after the birth of her first son that Mariam chose to wear hijab. “One day on my way out, I decided to wear my scarf and I have been wearing it ever since. It felt really natural to me and has helped humble me in some ways.” She says that wearing the hijab has made her less preoccupied with her outer appearance and has allowed her to concentrate on more important things such as religion, family, and education.

Since she returned to Islam and began to more seriously practice her faith, Mariam says that everything seemed to fall into place. "Islam is such a beautiful religion. It is a way of life. It’s a daily thing that stays with you and affects every part of your life." She plans to raise her children with a strictly Islamic upbringing to provide them with guidance at an early age so that they will avoid some of the confusion she faced while growing up. "I will be their teacher. I want them to be everything I wasn’t. Especially growing up in America, it is easy to get lost in other things." Mariam plans to send her children to Islamic school and if one is not available she plans to homeschool her children. "We need to teach them about God’s religion, and to be good human beings and instill this at an early age."

Mariam's journey to Islam has brought her to a place she is content with. From growing up confused and alienated to becoming the strong, confident woman she is today, Mariam has come to a point in her life where she is thankful for everything she has in her life. A happy home life, a supportive family, and a strong belief in Islam, Mariam could not ask for much more. "I am very happy with my life. This is the kind of life I dreamed about. Alhumdulillah."

Go To Page: 1 2