Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world especially since sept. 11.   
      
   An important article shows that every child is born on the "fitrah" (natural   
   inclination) of "Islam", the spread of Islam after September eleventh and that   
   it’s necessary to make an open communication between Muslims & Non-Muslims for   
   presenting a right    
   picture about Islam .   
      
   Salam Alaykum:   
      
   Your question about the increase in the "reversion to Islam" is a good one.   
   You have given me the excuse to do something that I have wanted to do for a   
   long time. I have wanted to write on the subject of "Reverts to Islam in   
   Modern Times" and the message    
   that it carries to all of us Muslims about Islam TODAY.   
   BACK TO Islam?   
   Reverts to Islam In Modern Times   
      
   "Revert" As Opposed to "Convert"   
      
   I like to use the word "revert" as opposed to the word "convert" as it more   
   suits the occasion of a person returning back to his natural condition at   
   birth. The baby is born in true surrender, submission, obedience and peace   
   with his Creator. And this is    
   the desirable position of the Muslim, to be in peace and submission to the   
   Will of Allah (God in English). Instead of thinking in terms of "converting"   
   people over to Islam, it is better understood that they are simply returning   
   back to their natural    
   state at birth. And this is from the teachings of our beloved prophet,   
   Muhammad, peace be upon him. (Muslims should always say "Peace be upon   
   him/them" when referring to any of the prophets).   
      
   Like A Baby   
      
   Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: "Every child is born on the   
   "fitrah" (natural inclination) of "Islam" (surrender, submission and peace to   
   the Creator on His Terms). And it is their parents who raise them up to be   
   Jews, Christians or fire    
   worshippers."   
      
   Dr. Ted Campbell who is the professor of religion at the seminary school in   
   Maryland and I were both sharing the speakers platform last year in Maryland   
   University. At the closing of a very nice interfaith dialog there came a   
   strange question for both of    
   us. Noah, the moderator said: "This last question is for both speakers: "Why   
   are each of you in your religion?"   
      
   Dr. Campbell took his position in front of the microphone and then looked   
   around the room as he thought about the question. I will never forget his   
   words. He said: "I guess I would have to say that I am a Methodist because,   
   well because, my parents    
   raised me that way. As a Methodist."   
      
   He was right.   
      
   That is what we know as Muslims. However, as I mentioned in my answer to the   
   same question: "And then some are brought back to their original state as a   
   baby." They are "reverted" to Islam by the Mercy of Allah.   
      
   Actual or Factual Numbers of American Muslims   
      
   Many people are claiming that twice as many, or three times or four times, or   
   even ten times as many people are coming into Islam as they did prior to the   
   events of September 11. Who could possibly know the numbers? We are not even   
   sure how many Muslims    
   live here in America. I have heard the numbers range from around 3,000,000 all   
   the way up to 11,000,000. I'm sure that only Allah Knows for sure how many   
   Muslims there are in America.   
      
   Rate of "Reversion"   
      
   Actually, I can't give accurate statistics before or after the September   
   events. I have heard from some "experts" that Islam was the fastest growing   
   religion in the world prior to the September 11 events. I have no reason to   
   doubt it either. In the many    
   Masjids around the United States and in the many countries that I have been   
   fortunate enough to visit I have found thousands who have entered into Islam.   
   The Anglican Church of England expressed concern that if something does not   
   change in the trend of    
   new Muslims in England that the Muslims will out number the Anglicans by the   
   year 2010.   
      
   The number one name of the birth certificates for new born boys in England was   
   not John, or Michael, or William. It is "Muhammad." In Mexico, Sweden, Denmark   
   and Canada I have witnessed so many coming into Islam that I cannot count them   
   all. Everywhere I    
   go I meet new Muslims. Prisons, universities and even in the military I have   
   personally seen thousands who came to Islam. This is all before the events of   
   September 11.   
      
   More Exposure to the Message   
      
   What I feel comfortable saying is that more and more people are being to   
   exposed to Islam all over the world. Whether or not the picture they are   
   receiving is painted correctly or not is not as important a factor as is the   
   fact that at long last many    
   people on this planet are looking at Islam as something very real. Therefore,   
   when they ask about Islam some of the information is stimulating feelings   
   inside of the people. Naturally we are going to see those who are stimulated   
   to be against Islam. At    
   the same time you have to understand that there are a number of people who   
   will take the position that you cannot always believe everything in the news   
   media. These are the ones whom Allah guides to inquire and learn more.   
      
   Allah is the Only Guide   
      
   It is only Allah who Guides the people and it is only Allah who Misguides. The   
   biggest problem in the past used to be the lack of interest in Islam. People   
   were not interested in talking about Islam or any religion for that matter,   
   even their own. Now    
   the problem is the lack of correct knowledge of Islam. There simply was not   
   anything about Islam out there.   
      
   Then the events of the 1970s with the actions of some of the Iranians when   
   they hijacked airplanes and we saw on the news, men prostrating on the ground   
   outside the airplanes. We in the West learned a new word; "Shi'ism". People   
   said this is some strange    
   religion (Islam). What is going on? Then came the 1980s and we saw acts of   
   terrorism that occurred in Palestine and the words "fundamentalist" and   
   "Muslim" became associated together.   
      
   At the very beginning of the next decade we saw something take place in Iraq   
   and Kuwait. Again religion is brought into the picture. Not a pretty picture,   
   but a picture. Midway through the 1990s we saw big actions taking place   
   everywhere in the world.    
   The Trade Center in New York, airplanes, embassies, attacks and counter   
   attacks. All along we are hearing something about "Islam" and "Moslems." Still   
   not very positive to say the least. Then what occurred in September brought   
   out more information,    
   although distorted, about this religion of the East.   
      
   President Says "Islam is Peace"   
      
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
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    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)