A Convert Story: How I Came To Islam And Stayed

Asalaam alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu,

My name is Aminah Momin. I wasn’t born with that name. I chose it. My birth name is Rebecca Childress. I am (at least) a fourth-generation Texan and my grandfather was born in Denton County. I was born in Hall County, about 80 miles south of Amarillo and moved to Dallas when I was 7 years old. I’ve lived here ever since.

Among my ancestors are two great historical personalities of Texas. One is George Childress, the author of the Declaration of Independence for the Republic of Texas from Mexico. The other is Quanah Parker, one of the last great Comanche Indian Chiefs.

Quanah Parker’s mother was a white woman named Cynthia Parker, who was kidnapped as a baby and raised by the Comanches as one of their own. She married the chief of the tribe and Quanah was her eldest son. Her immediate family had mostly been killed by Native Americans, but her wealthy grandfather back in Boston advertised a reward for Cynthia’s return.

After years of searching, she was finally found. Quanah was around 15 years old when he witnessed the U.S. Army kill his father and take his mother and young sister captive. There’s a celebrated movie based on this factual story called “The Searchers” starring John Wayne — which is still studied in film schools and has inspired many contemporary filmmakers.

As an eighth-grader, I learned about Islam at my school in Dallas. Our world history teacher had us study the world’s three great monotheistic religions — Christianity, Islam and Judaism — and made us choose which one we preferred. Being a very sincere and genuine student, I read up on all three religions. Judaism, according to their orthodox creed, did not allow converts. Christianity was familiar to me, and I had my issues with it even back then. To me, Islam seemed the most practical. At the time I reasoned that the purpose of religion was to gain the good graces of God Almighty.

I favored Islam because it reminded people to worship their Lord in their daily lives, as well as encouraging good deeds for those less fortunate. Making fasting a part of faith reminded us all of our dependence upon sustenance, which comes through others and originates with the Creator.

I have always appreciated how Islam places emphasis on unity between our fellow human beings. This is reflected in the Oneness of our Creator. This idea is part of the Bible, but has been polluted with the notion that others can be a “part” of that One God. This concept has always been irrational to me. However, Islam was so clear on this point of the Oneness of God.

My eighth-grade teacher didn’t like my report topic choice of Islam and gave me a “C,” while the football player who sat next to me got an “A.” Such is the education in the United States.

I remember when my segregated school was forced to integrate Black students, there was rioting and almost daily police presence on campus. Many of my friends moved out to the suburbs to escape having to attend school with other races. I, on the other hand, made my first Black friend and went on to become associated with many people of color. I never felt a difference between Black and white people. To me, we are the same. It bothered me that our country’s racism is so deep.

I first met Muslims when I reached college. As I’ve never had an objection to people who are different from me, I loved learning about their culture, country, language, etc.

As a student, I met a young man from Bangladesh named Abdul Momin. We formed a very strong relationship and I was happy when he asked me to marry him. His family in Bangladesh also accepted me but suggested that I become a Muslim.

We married in January 1986, and I became Muslim the same day we married at the Richardson Mosque. I met a few Muslim sisters who invited me to attend their study group (halaqah), and it has been an amazing journey for me since I accepted Islam.

There have been wonderful experiences, like living in Bangladesh with my four children for a few years, and also tragedies, like my husband suddenly passing at age 38 after only 11 years of marriage. Many local community members told me they had seen him the day before in the masjid. This is the nature of this life. As Allah (swt) wills, so it will be. This was what was written for him.

I was in Bangladesh at the time and eventually left my job as an English teacher to return to Dallas. My parents assumed that since Momin had passed away, I would no longer be a practicing Muslim. But, on the contrary, this event brought me closer to Allah (swt). I never felt that death was wrong for Momin. He was a devoted believer and a wonderful father and husband. He deserves the best in this life and the next life especially. Ameen.

Sometimes, we will have weaknesses in our faith. Tests will come and we will falter a little. The thing that makes me stay in Islam is the Qur’an and the statement that there is nothing worthy of worship except that there is One True God. When we have this belief firmly in our hearts, insha’Allah, we can overcome any trial.

Aminah was born and raised in Texas, USA. She has five adult children and four grandchildren that she adores. She is active in her local community, tries to eat healthy and stay fit, and enjoys cooking, drawing, watercolor painting, and reading and learning Qu’ran.