My Experience of Taking Shahada, Joining the Moroccan Ummah
Rabat – My name is Iskandar; I am a British Muslim revert from Norwich. I fell in love with Allah and Islam during my A Levels, and I have deeply appreciated the chance to become involved with the global religious community .
I first reverted to my new faith, and took the Shahada, while I was studying Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Exeter, but due to the fact that I struggled to learn Arabic I later moved to the University of East Anglia. Knowing that I was going to come to do an internship at Morocco World News, I reverted for a second time at Cambridge Central Mosque in Cambridge.
Upon arriving in Morocco, I immediately noticed the strong religious community around me. The country is 99% Muslim with most of its citizens being followers of the faith. I first discussed taking the Shahada with my program director Ali at MCAS Arabic, and he informed me that it would be possible to take the Shahada and revert to Islam in Morocco. I felt that to take the Shahada again in a Muslim-majority nation would be a wonderful way to reaffirm my faith.
The mosque that I visited to perform the Shahada was the Sidi Mohammed Laghmari Masjid, located near the Restaurant De La Liberation on Mohammed V Avenue. When I entered the Masjid, I decided to wear the traditional Moroccan clothing of the djellaba as well as a 'Tarbouch' hat, as a sign of respect for Moroccan culture. When I was welcomed into the Masjid, I immediately noticed the Islamic architecture and the ornate designs of the building's interior.
I entered the Masjid removing my shoes and placing them along with my bag on the edge of the Musalla. I then went to the location of the Wudu basin to perform the ablution. I felt cleansed and refreshed ready to perform the Jummah.
The midday Jummah prayer began at around 1:30 p.m., with the Islamic Qur'anic recitation being performed through the Masjid speakers. I sat in the direction towards the Qiblah in Mecca, the centre of spiritual Islam. The Imam then came to the Mihrab to perform their Khutbah. I do not understand Arabic, but I feel it is one of the most beautiful languages in the world. While I might not have understood the words, my heart filled with love and appreciation for Allah as I took part in the prayer.
My program host Ali introduced me to a number of important people within the Masjid, including the Nazir and the Imam. Both were extremely kind and welcoming and accepted me because of shared faith. The Nazir is the caretaker of the Masjid and its religious position. The Imam is the spiritual leader who leads the prayer and delivers the sermons.
After we had performed Jummah I was invited to the front of the congregation. I was supported by a translator, and I took the Shahada, delivering my declaration of faith as I repeated after the Imam, 'There is no God, but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.' As I performed the Shahada I was filled with joy from Allah's greatness and love for me.
In front of the congregation, I then confirmed my new Islamic name, 'Iskandar'. Many of the congregation then came to greet me into the Ummah as a fellow brother of faith.
This was an incredibly important religious declaration as I formally renewed my pledge of faith to Allah and joined the Moroccan Ummah. As I am going to be in Morocco over the next few months, I would like to become further integrated into the Islamic community performing prayers in Moroccan Masjids and meet fellow brothers and sisters.
I arrived in Morocco the weekend before the religious holiday and celebration Eid Al Adha, and I took my Shahada in the corresponding Jum'ah, Friday prayer. I was able to attend the Eid prayers, a practice I now have in common with the fellow Moroccan citizens. I feel privileged and honored to have taken part in such a spiritual and meaningful commitment to Islam . Tags: IslamMoroccan UmmahReligion
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
12 hours ago
- Morocco World
My Experience of Taking Shahada, Joining the Moroccan Ummah
Rabat – My name is Iskandar; I am a British Muslim revert from Norwich. I fell in love with Allah and Islam during my A Levels, and I have deeply appreciated the chance to become involved with the global religious community . I first reverted to my new faith, and took the Shahada, while I was studying Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Exeter, but due to the fact that I struggled to learn Arabic I later moved to the University of East Anglia. Knowing that I was going to come to do an internship at Morocco World News, I reverted for a second time at Cambridge Central Mosque in Cambridge. Upon arriving in Morocco, I immediately noticed the strong religious community around me. The country is 99% Muslim with most of its citizens being followers of the faith. I first discussed taking the Shahada with my program director Ali at MCAS Arabic, and he informed me that it would be possible to take the Shahada and revert to Islam in Morocco. I felt that to take the Shahada again in a Muslim-majority nation would be a wonderful way to reaffirm my faith. The mosque that I visited to perform the Shahada was the Sidi Mohammed Laghmari Masjid, located near the Restaurant De La Liberation on Mohammed V Avenue. When I entered the Masjid, I decided to wear the traditional Moroccan clothing of the djellaba as well as a 'Tarbouch' hat, as a sign of respect for Moroccan culture. When I was welcomed into the Masjid, I immediately noticed the Islamic architecture and the ornate designs of the building's interior. I entered the Masjid removing my shoes and placing them along with my bag on the edge of the Musalla. I then went to the location of the Wudu basin to perform the ablution. I felt cleansed and refreshed ready to perform the Jummah. The midday Jummah prayer began at around 1:30 p.m., with the Islamic Qur'anic recitation being performed through the Masjid speakers. I sat in the direction towards the Qiblah in Mecca, the centre of spiritual Islam. The Imam then came to the Mihrab to perform their Khutbah. I do not understand Arabic, but I feel it is one of the most beautiful languages in the world. While I might not have understood the words, my heart filled with love and appreciation for Allah as I took part in the prayer. My program host Ali introduced me to a number of important people within the Masjid, including the Nazir and the Imam. Both were extremely kind and welcoming and accepted me because of shared faith. The Nazir is the caretaker of the Masjid and its religious position. The Imam is the spiritual leader who leads the prayer and delivers the sermons. After we had performed Jummah I was invited to the front of the congregation. I was supported by a translator, and I took the Shahada, delivering my declaration of faith as I repeated after the Imam, 'There is no God, but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.' As I performed the Shahada I was filled with joy from Allah's greatness and love for me. In front of the congregation, I then confirmed my new Islamic name, 'Iskandar'. Many of the congregation then came to greet me into the Ummah as a fellow brother of faith. This was an incredibly important religious declaration as I formally renewed my pledge of faith to Allah and joined the Moroccan Ummah. As I am going to be in Morocco over the next few months, I would like to become further integrated into the Islamic community performing prayers in Moroccan Masjids and meet fellow brothers and sisters. I arrived in Morocco the weekend before the religious holiday and celebration Eid Al Adha, and I took my Shahada in the corresponding Jum'ah, Friday prayer. I was able to attend the Eid prayers, a practice I now have in common with the fellow Moroccan citizens. I feel privileged and honored to have taken part in such a spiritual and meaningful commitment to Islam . Tags: IslamMoroccan UmmahReligion
Morocco World
17 hours ago
- Morocco World
After Air India Crash: King Mohammed VI Extends Condolences to India
Doha – 'I have learned with deep affliction the news of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, which has caused numerous victims,' King Mohammed VI stated in his message to Indian President Droupadi Murmu following Thursday's tragic aviation disaster. 'In this painful circumstance, I express my sincere condolences and feelings of solidarity and compassion to President Murmu, the grieving families, and the friendly Indian people, wishing them patience and comfort,' the Moroccan monarch added in his official message of sympathy. The fatal incident occurred when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, western Gujarat state. The plane was bound for London Gatwick Airport with 242 people on board. According to aviation authorities, the aircraft began losing altitude after reaching only 650 feet. The pilots issued a 'mayday' call at 1:39 p.m. local time but did not respond to subsequent communication attempts from air traffic controllers. CCTV footage captured the 59-second sequence of the disaster. The video shows the aircraft taking off, gaining some altitude, flying flat for seconds, then beginning to descend with its tail down approximately 17 seconds after takeoff. The plane crashed about 33 seconds after wheels-up, erupting into a massive fireball. The aircraft struck the B.J. Medical College hostel near the airport. The impact caused extensive damage, with parts of the fuselage scattered across the complex and the aircraft's tail lodged in the building's roof. The death toll has reached at least 270, including 241 people on the plane and multiple victims on the ground. Among the deceased was Vijay Rupani, Gujarat's former chief minister. The passengers included 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. 'When I opened my eyes, I realized I was alive' Remarkably, there was one survivor from the flight: Viswashkumar Ramesh. He told India's national broadcaster that the aircraft seemed unable to gain height after takeoff, and he miraculously managed to escape after his section of the plane crashed onto a building's ground floor, creating space for him to exit after unfastening his seatbelt. 'When I opened my eyes, I realized I was alive,' Ramesh said. He was later visited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the hospital where he is being treated for burns and injuries. Search and rescue Rescue and investigation efforts began immediately. The National Disaster Response Force deployed seven teams to the crash site and has recovered 81 bodies so far. Investigators found one of the two black boxes—the digital flight data recorder—on the rooftop of the building where the jet crashed. The search continues for the cockpit voice recorder. India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has launched a full investigation. Authorities are examining several potential causes, including issues related to engine thrust, operational problems with the flaps, and why the landing gear remained open after takeoff. Anti-terror squads are also participating in the investigation. Indian aviation regulators have ordered additional maintenance checks on Air India's Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft equipped with GEnx engines. These include a 'one-time check' of takeoff parameters before each flight departure starting from midnight on June 15. This disaster marks the first deadly accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft entered commercial service in 2011. Boeing has stated it is ready to send experts to assist in the investigation. Prime Minister Modi visited the crash site in Gujarat, his home state, on Friday. 'The scene of devastation is saddening,' he posted on social media after meeting with rescue officials and some of the injured in the hospital. Meanwhile, grieving families gathered outside the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, where medical staff are conducting DNA tests to identify victims. The hospital has received at least 30 injured students, with four in critical condition. Tags: airplane crashKing Mohammed VImorocco india
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Morocco World
Japan Contributes $157,000 to Development in Morocco's Errachidia, Tinghir
Doha – Three rural Moroccan communities received development aid this week as part of Japan's ongoing KUSANONE program. On June 11 and 12, Japanese Ambassador to Morocco, Masahiro Nakata, attended official handover ceremonies in Errachidia and Tinghir provinces, delivering grants totaling MAD 1,570,000 ($157,000). The KUSANONE program, which translates to 'grassroots,' targeted three specific community needs in Morocco's southeastern regions with grants for local micro-projects contributing to human security. In Errachidia province, the ALJID Agricultural Cooperative received funding for the construction of a 950-meter concrete irrigation canal in Ksar Taznakte. This project will benefit approximately 2,300 residents from 460 families in the M'daghra commune. The new irrigation system aims to strengthen the local ecosystem's resilience against climate change impacts while increasing water flow and reducing irrigation time. Importantly, it will improve local food security by expanding irrigated agricultural land. Moving to Tinghir province, the Bougafer Association for Agriculture, Environment and Sustainable Development secured support for an irrigation system upgrade in Taghia Nilmchane village within Taghzout Nait Atta commune. The project will install a solar pumping system and an economical storage basin, benefiting 460 farming families or approximately 3,800 residents. This initiative focuses on optimizing water usage to improve agricultural production profitability and expand irrigable land. The third project addresses drinking water access in Ouaklim village, also in Tinghir province. The Azag Drinking Water Association will implement improvements that will benefit around 540 families, or 5,000 residents. This initiative will ensure water availability even during dry periods, eliminate the need for women and children to transport water over long distances, and help reduce rural exodus by stabilizing the local population. These three projects represent the latest in Japan's long-standing KUSANONE program, which was established in 1989. The program primarily supports NGOs and local communities. To date, Japan has funded 374 community development projects across Morocco, with cumulative donations exceeding MAD 180 million ($18 million). The handover ceremonies were attended by local authorities and representatives from the beneficiary organizations. According to the Tokyo Embassy, this speaks to the continued cooperation between Morocco and Japan in addressing fundamental human security needs. Tags: Development projectsErrachidiaMorocco JapanTinghir
