We had an opportunity to hear the world famous Islamic preacher, Shaikh Yusuf Estes Salam give a talk on Islam and its relationship with other religions some time back
It really was an evening to remember for many reasons.
Sheikh Yusuf Estes Salam with Marcos
For one, it was held within the precincts of the Grand Mosque, truly the most magnificent structure in all of Oman.
Two, Shaikh Yusuf Estes, himself was a Christian preacher, who chose to convert to Islam many, many years back.
Then, it was the sheer numbers of people present there.
Even though there was no definite count I'd put the people that evening at about a thousand -all silent, then interactive, as the moment demanded.
Most memorable of all will remain the fact that I saw my first real life conversion to Islam take place in front of me.
It was that of Marcos, (pictured above with Shaikh Yusuf Estes), who had chosen to follow Islam as his new way of life and living. He smiled, he laughed and he also cried.Along with him, many of us watching laughed and cried with him too.
Over two decades of living in the Gulf and I finally understood what it really was.
It is only when there is a call from 'within', then and only then, does someone feel the deep seated need or desire to voluntarily convert from one religion to another.....
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