Editor,
As someone who converted to Islam at the age of 24, I can say that there are many lies being spread about Islam. I never personally had contact with Muslims growing up as a Hispanic Christian in New Mexico. All that I knew about Islam growing up was what I heard from the mass media and the church. I was led to believe that the basic teachings of Islam were oppressing women, killing non-Muslims and always being angry.
After struggling with alcoholism, I decided that I needed to change the way I was living. In high school I had read a fascinating autobiography about an American Muslim, Malcolm X. I decided to look into the religion of this extraordinary human being. I never imagined that Islam had anything in common with Christianity. I started by reading the Qur’an and I was shocked to find that Jesus was a prophet of Islam.
Then, I read a biography about the Prophet Muhammad by Martin Lings that completely changed my perception about him.
Armed with this new knowledge, I made the best decision of my entire life: I became a Muslim. I am much happier now and I would never go back to my previous life. I am no longer addicted to the harmful drug alcohol, and I pray five times a day. If anyone reading this wants to learn about Islam, all I can say is make an informed decision and do not let others form your opinions
for you.
Muhajir Romero
UNM student
