Laura

“I’ve forgotten my keys again. I’m such an idiot!” 

“These glasses make me look so old.”

“Ugh! I look horrible in this outfit.” 

“Another job rejection. I’m a loser.”

In the mid-1990s, I spent my junior year of college studying abroad in southern Spain. At the time, I was not a Muslim. In fact, I knew almost nothing about Islam.

This past March, I celebrated the 23rd anniversary of taking my shahada or testimony of faith, Alhamdullilah (praise and thanks to God alone). Back in 2000, upon embracing Islam, I began a lifelong journey of striving for self-improvement and seeking knowledge.