“I took my Shahadah (conversion/reversion to Islam) at the age of 76 years on 16th March 2011 at the East London Mosque. Since then I have attended a few circles for New Muslims but I realised that I was not gaining the necessary knowledge that I needed to be a good practising Muslim because I believe that whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well. Providence directed me to Turning Point Academy, a Project for New Muslim women; there my dreams were fulfilled. Indeed in just two terms I acquired the knowledge that I needed to make me a proper Muslim. I have now perfected my Wudu (Ablution) and my Salaah (Prayers).
The best thing that has happened to me in my life was learning the whole of the Arabic Alphabet; this I thought I could not do before I joined Turning Point; I used to think that I could never learn the Arabic Alphabet, which is the gateway to learn how to read the Qur’an. In fact, when I enrolled at Turning Point, I told the Manager that I would never be able to read the Quran in Arabic. I told her I would be content with just learning correct pronunciation of the transliteration of the Qur’an on account of my age. (I was 76 years then now 78 years of age). Sister Amina told me I can learn to read the Qu’ran in Arabic. She said her staff are trained and dedicated tutors who would help me. In just one term, I learnt the alphabet! I will move to the next book which will teach me joining the alphabet into words.
On the open day on 16th March 2012 which happened to be exactly one year anniversary of the date I took my Shahadah, after listening to the poems by my fellow new reverts on how pleased they are being Muslims and recalling what I had achieved through my interaction with Turning Point, I could not conceal my emotions. I wept for joy, that even me at my old age could be what I want to be: a good knowledgeable practising Muslim.
Barely 3 years after my Shahadah, I was privileged by the special grace of Allah Almighty to go on Pilgrimage to Mecca for Hajj in October 2013. It was a pilgrimage I will cherish for the rest of my life, compared to the Christian Catholic Pilgrimages I had been to. Alhamdulillah.”