FINDING FAITH IN ISLAM
Dr,Abu Usama
Hong Kong

Alhamdo-Lillah, I have attended conversion ceremony last 15 March 2009 on the 6th floor of Masjid Ammar Wan Chai Hong Kong

A total of fourteen sisters and three brothers converted to Islam on that day, consisting of nine Filipinos, four Indonesians, three Chinese, and one Canadian, Masha-Allah.

The ceremony began with Du'a led by Hajji Muhamenin Kareem, dawah worker of the Islamic Union of Hong Kong, followed by recitation of verses from the Holy Qur'an, by Br. Makeen Tuet. The declaration of faith was conducted by Imam Uthman Yang Xing Ben.

The guest speaker, Prof. Ayub Din, welcomed the new brothers and sisters to the fold of Islam before going t his main topic on "Faith." He said that"Islam is a total submission to the will of Allah Almighty, without associating any partners with Him."

He continued talking about basic beliefs in Islam specifically for the new converts, such as Pillars of Islam, the Articles of Faith, Manners in Islam, The Day of Judgment, and Life after Death. Prof. Din emphasized that "those who do good deeds shall surely enter Jannah (paradise), as Allah Subhannahu Wa ta'aala promised in The Holy Qur'an."

"When we pray, we face the Ka'ba, not to worship that Ka'ba, but to worship Allah." The Profesor concluded by saying that "those who do good deeds and submit themselves to Allah (SWT) devotedly, while following the Pillars of Islam shall surely enter Jannah."

Hajji Kasem Ma Fung Wai presented souvenirs to the new converts and also the the guest speaker, followed by chanting of "Takbir" (Allahu Akbar).

The program was concluded by Du'a,led by Imam Sulaiman Wong, followed by group pictures taken and refreshments.

LIST OF CONVERTS ARE AS FOLLOWED

(Non-Muslim Name) ( Muslim Name)

1. Mardieliza Tabaza -------- Saeedah
2. Christine Fernandez ------- Mariam Aesha ---
3. Ruth Dellotamos --------- Malaika
4. Glacel F. Estafa ----------- Safaa
5. Karen Joy Buraga ---------- Zahra
6. Grace ----------- Sairah
7. Mariel ---------- Zoya
8. Vangie ------------- Aisha
9. Norly ----------- Nurhayati
10.Xiaoxia Wu ---------- Sabrina
11. Chung Ming Lai ---------- Maryam
12. Lam Ah Sum ---------- Ali
13. Lam Fuk Ling -------------- Saeed
14. Michel Trudelle ------------ Manzur
15. Irnawati -------------- Fitriyani
16. Yeni Astuti --------- Nur Astuti
17. Tsuwiyanti ------------ Miftahul Jannah