Nur Arisa Maryam, new Japanese Muslim, 23 years old, born in Tokyo. She studied Malaysian language. One year later, she heard many words that she couldn’t understand. later she realized that these words were related to Islam (Arabic sentences), thus she took an Islamic course.
Her Malaysian friends invited her to Tokyo Camii and gave her Hijab. Nur says:
I went there to see their solat. I thought I knew many things about Islam because I’d studied it for 2 years in university but I was totally shocked when I saw Muslims praying at the mosque. I had no idea why they prayed 5 times in a day and how to pray. Yes it was because they were Muslims and it was for Allah but … I couldn’t understand why they WANT to do it. And It was the first time I wore hijab because my Malay friends gave it to me. I was so happy and felt relieved.Although I loved wearing sexy style clothing, I suddenly wanted to cover myself up more after that…to be respected and known for who I was inside.
In January 2015, Nur Arisa declared the Shahadah (The Testimony of Faith) at Tokyo Camii. Alhamdulillah. She says:
After reading Al-Quran in Japanese, I couldn’t stop crying and suddenly felt the hidayah (Guidance). At that time, I didn’t know how to recite Shahadah officially. I went to the mosque without asking whether I could recite the Shahadah today or not, but all people at the mosque welcomed me gladly. More than 10 Malaysian sisters came to be my witnesses. Masha’Allah … from this time I became Nur Arisa Maryam. I couldn’t stop my tears from falling. After that, I had the chance to perform Isha’ prayer as a Muslim and made Du’a at the mosque for the first time in my new life.
An interview with Nur Arisa was published by HuffPost Japan on 16 Aug 2016. These are part of the questions:
– How did you become a Muslim?
– I embraced Islam in January 17 last year. Before that I hesitated to became a Muslims because of my family and work. But, when I read the Qur’an with a Japanese translation, I got all answers I need, then I believed in Islam. “There is no reason to not become a Muslim”.
– What was the reaction of your family?
– My mother got surprised, but with time she accepted it.
– How did you become a Muslim?
– I embraced Islam in January 17 last year. Before that I hesitated to became a Muslims because of my family and work. But, when I read the Qur’an with a Japanese translation, I got all answers I need, then I believed in Islam. There is no reason not to become a Muslim.
– What’s your future dream?
– Help disadvantaged children to get knowledge throw the Internet without need go abroad.
- See more at: http://www.islaminjapanmedia.org/interview-with-nur-arisa/#sthash.gW0DzG2b.dpuf