Meeting Zahra.

Salaam aleykum!

My name is Emily, better known as Zahra. I'm a 21 year old nursing student with two cats. I love riding my bike, going to museums, and drinking too much coffee. Oh yeah, I'm an American Muslim.

Allow me to share my story with you:

I was 17 when I first started studying Islam. I actually gave a speech on Islam for one of my classes in high school. I graduated high school and went straight to the University of Kansas to study pre-nursing. I met some wonderful Muslims, one of which invited me to attend Friday prayer at the local Islamic center. One cold Friday, I covered up my hair and sat on a chair in the back of the men's section and listened to the khutbah. I was totally mesmerized by watching the men pray in congregation. The recitation of the Qur'an captivated me.

I wanted more.

I continued going to the masjid for several months, each week learning more about Islam. I met many wonderful people and began to study Islam not for expanding my general knowledge about the world, but for my own personal gain. I celebrated Ramadan and Eid ul-Fitr that following summer. I watched as some people I knew converted to Islam, yet I still couldn't do it. I started to lapse in my studies, falling into some very stupid situations. I left Islam behind to pursue worldly gain.

Eventually, my time at KU had to come to an end. I moved to Central Kansas to start the two years of craziness that is nursing school. I realized that I really missed going to the masjid. I missed the wonderful people I used to spend a lot of time with. I missed feeling close to God. I picked up my books again and began to research. I read, and read, and read. Then, I read some more until I got to an online book about the science in the Qur'an. I had never come across anything like this before. I sat for hours, looking at this online book. Something said to me: "it's time."

December 17, 2011. I sat in the office at the masjid in Kansas City, just after praying Isha prayer. Four of my closest friends surrounded me. This was it. This was the day that my life would gain new meaning. I cried as I choked out the words that I had practiced over and over again.

Ashadu ana la ilaha il Allah, wa ashadu ana Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh.

-Z