"Muslim" converts to Catholicism on Easter

So, the media is making a big deal about the fact that a "Muslim", Magdi Allam, converted to Catholicism this weekend. Find the story here. According to CNN, Allam has angered us (his fellow Muslims) by converting on Easter of all days. (Gasp!) Apparently, the media is waiting to see how the "Muslim world" is going to react to the announcement that "one of theirs" has left the ranks. Naturally, the press is speculating as to whether or not death threats will be issued to Allam by Muslims. I pray- Ya Allah- that not one single person reacts in a violent way to this news whatsoever. (That includes, the threat of violence by the way). At the same time I know if you're looking for a wacko you can always find one if you search hard enough. So, I won't be the surprised if I turn on the television, open a newspaper, or scroll through one of the online news sources and find that the media has successfully dredged up a group of people who who want Allam dead in no uncertain terms. *sigh*

As a Muslim, I don't know about you, but of the many concerns I have- gas prices, the housing market, the scarcity of jobs, racism, sexism, the war in Iraq- this dude doesn't even make the list. He has the right to decide what lifestyle is best for him. If he wants to worship Jesus, saints, the Pope and whoever else then that's his business. And you know what, I dislike the way the media is marveling at such a conversion to begin with. For the record, I know plenty of people who have left the Catholic church and became Muslims. Perhaps they did so on Christmas, Easter, or during Lent. Who knows? The point is, it happens. That's life.

By Magdi Allam's own admission, he was "never practicing", "never prayed five times a day, facing Mecca" and "never fasted during Ramadan." An interesting phenomenon I've noticed when it comes to Muslim apostates (especially when they're highly critical of Islam or Muslims) is that they're allowed to enjoy the privilege (that's right I said privilege) of calling themselves Muslims and can claim to speak from within the Muslim community. (Here I am thinking of characters like Ayaan Hirsi Ali). But I digress...

Personally, I don't subscribe to the belief that a person is automatically, instantly, permanently and forever Muslim (no matter what) simply because they were born into a Muslim family. Yes, everyone is born with an inclination towards the fitrah (the natural belief in one God) and it is their parents who make them otherwise. However, Islam is a proactive way of life. You can't simply be, you have to do. Therefore, even if you're born to Muslim parents and were raised as a Muslim, at some point in your life you have to decide if you want to practice Islam. If you make the decision not to practice Islam then what does that make you? Hmm...

Insha'allah when my husband and I have children, we have already agreed that our children, will make an official, conscious decision to be Muslims. Insha'allah, they will take shahadah (just as we did) to declare their position. I pray (Ya Allah) that my children will not walk around bragging about how they were "born Muslim" and how their mother and father are devout Muslims but when it comes down to it, they don't even practice the basic tenets of Islam. Does that make any sense? I don't know...I may be wrong here. I ask Allah's forgiveness if I am. I just think our perspective needs to change. But I digress again...

Good luck to Magdi Allam. Enjoy your shirk!