ISLAM is by far the most misunderstood religion in the world
today thanks to centuries of medieval-style propaganda successfully
peddled by bigots and Christian zealots.
So I should not have been entirely surprised by the almost hysterical
reaction in the mainstream media to news that I am considering
becoming a Muslim.
I have even been accused of suffering from Stockholm Syndrome
as a result of spending 10 days in the hands of the Taliban.
Bearing in mind I spent my last four days in the company of six
bible-bashing Christians in Kabul Prison I think we can knock
that theory on the head.
The truth is my captors probably thanked Allah when I was kicked
out of Afghanistan. They appeared very happy to see the back of
me since I spent most of my time being rather abusive and obnoxious
to them - I think some are still receiving counselling!
When I initially thought about converting, I reflected I had a
fundamental problem? I started the day with a bacon sandwich and
ended it with a large glass or three of whisky. I was told by
someone who had ?crossed over? that these issues would become
insignificant and indeed they have.
However, my spiritual journey, like that for many converts/reverts,
was always meant to be a personal affair between myself and God.
Unfortunately, it has now become a very public issue and so I
have decided to set the record straight to prevent any more misunderstandings
or misconceptions.
Stories of my premature conversion were wired around the world
resulting in a deluge of e-mails from Muslim congratulating me
- some e-mails were not that complimentary.
It is true my journey did begin in the unlikely surrounds of an
Afghan prison where I was being held by the Taliban facing charges
of spying for entering their country illegally disguised in the
all-enveloping burqa.
I remember the day very clearly.
Hamid, my interpreter, said I had a very important visitor and
that I must be respectful. My heart skipped a beat as a tall man
wearing long flowing white robes and a turban walked into my room.
I realised immediately he was a religious cleric. He asked me
about my religious status - Protestant - and then asked me what
I thought of Islam and if I would like to convert.
I was terrified. For five days I had managed to avoid the subject
of religion in a country led by extremists. If I gave the wrong
response, I had convinced myself I would be stoned to death. After
careful thought I thanked the cleric for his generous offer and
said it was difficult for me to make such a life-changing decision
while I was in prison.
However, I did make a promise that if I was released I would study
Islam on my return to London. My reward for such a reply was being
sent to a primitive jail in Kabul where I was locked up with six
Christians who faced charges of trying to convert Muslims to their
faith.
I was also brought up in the Christian faith, sang in the church
choir and was a Sunday School teacher, but I felt their brand
of Christianity was almost as extreme as the Taliban?s brand of
Islam.
I remember one evening sitting outside my cell in the prison courtyard
listening to happy clappy hymns in my left ear as someone made
the call to prayers in my right ear. I thought to myself I was
caught in between two sets of religious fundamentalists.
It was a very clear night and as I gazed up at the stars I felt
I was trapped in a parallel universe and pondered my fate.
Several days later I was released unharmed on humanitarian grounds
on the orders of Mullah Omar, the Taliban?s one-eyed spiritual
leader.
My captors had treated me with courtesy and respect (despite my
bad behaviour) and so, in turn, I kept my word and set out to
study their religion. It was supposed to be an academic venture
but as I became more engrossed with each page I turned, I became
more impressed with what I read.
I turned to several eminent Islamic academics, including Dr Zaki
Badawi, for advice and instruction. I was even given several books
by the notorious Sheikh Abu Hamza Al-Masri who I spoke to after
sharing a platform at an Oxford Union debate.
This latter snippet was seized upon by some sections of the media
in such a ridiculous fashion that outsiders could be forgiven
for thinking I was going to open a Madrassah for Al-Qaida recruits
from my flat in Soho.
It earned me a place on a ?Watch on Terror? website in America,
so I?m probably now classed as a subversive by those incompetent
spooks from US intelligence agencies.
I have also listened to and spoken with Dr Muhammad Al-Massari
and had a very enlightening lunch recently with three sisters
from Hizb ut-Tahrir.
One of the most useful reference points for me has been the New
Muslim Project chat site on the Internet, which has given me access
to others who, like myself, are in the process of converting.
Thankfully the support and understanding I have been given from
my brothers and sisters (for I regard them as that) has been unstinting
and comforting. Not one of them has put pressure on me to become
a Muslim and every convert/revert I?ve spoken to has urged me
to take my time.
One of the big turning points for me happened earlier this year
when the Israelis began shelling The Church of the Nativity in
Manger Square . . . one of the most precious monuments for Christians.
Every year thousands of school children re-enact the Nativity
at Christmas time, a potent symbol of Christianity. Yet not one
Church of England leader publicly denounced the Israelis for their
attack.
Our Prime Minister Tony Blair, who loves to be pictured coming
out of church surrounded by his family, espousing Christian values,
was silent. Only the Pope had the guts to condemn this atrocity.
I was shocked and saddened and felt there was no backbone or conviction
among the C of E religious leaders.
At least with Islam I need no mediator or conduit to rely upon,
I can have a direct line with God anytime I want.
While I feel under no pressure by Muslims to convert/revert there
has been real pressure to walk away from Islam from some friends
and journalists who like to think they?re cynical, hard-bitten,
hard-drinking, observers of the world. Religion of any form makes
them feel uneasy - but Islam, well that?s something even worse.
You?d think I had made a pact with the devil or wanted to become
a grand wizard in the Ku Klux Klan. Others feared I was being
brainwashed and that I would soon be back in my burqa, silenced
forever like all Muslim women.
This, of course, is nonsense. I have never met so many well-educated,
opinionated, outspoken, intelligent, politically aware women in
the Muslim groups I have visited throughout the UK.
Feminism pales into insignificance when it comes to the sisterhood,
which has a strong identity and a loud voice in this country.
Yes, it is true that many Muslim women around the world are subjugated,
but this has only come about through other cultures hi-jacking
and misinterpreting the Qur?an.
I wish I had this knowledge (and I?m still very much a novice)
when I was captured by the Taliban, because I would have asked
them why they treated their own women so badly.
The Qur?an makes it crystal clear that all Muslims, men and women
are entirely equal in worth, spirituality and responsibility.
Allah ordained equality and fairness for women in education and
opportunity, at least that is my understanding.
Fair property law and divorce settlements were introduced for
Muslim women 1500 years ago - maybe this is where Californian
divorce lawyers got their inspiration from in recent years!
The Qur?an could have been written yesterday for today. It could
sit very easily with any Green Party manifesto, it is environmentally
friendly and it is a true inspiration for the 21st century, yet
not one word has changed since the day it was written - unlike
other religious tomes bent on courting popularity.
?It?s more punk than punk rock,? musician Aki Nawaz of the band
Fun?da?mental recently told me. And, of course he is right.
