I was born 24 years ago, in the sunshine of Spain. My mother is French, while my father is Spanish. I lived there for two years until my family moved to France. There I lived until I was 18, when I moved over to the UK to live and study. I have always admired the UK, a most modern, dynamic, polite and organised country (unlike France).

First of all, I want to point out that up to my 18th year, the year in which I went to study in the UK, I did not EVER like Islam. In fact, at the age of 17, I even considered joining a nationalist extremist group (ever heard of the National Front?). This was caused by many factors, but most prominently by those two:

• Word of mouth and a "brainwashing" environment: My family and friends were all from racist and nationalist background.
  
• Own personal experience: Myself being attacked physically twice by Algerians foreigner.

Now that you can imagine my state of mind when I left to go to study in the UK, you must be wondering what or how did I find out about Islam. Well! Read on...

When I was in the UK, I made several friends with Asian people (mostly Malaysians and Indonesians). I did not even know that they were Muslims initially, as I only associated Islam with Arabs. My new found friends were, Alhamdulillah, practising Muslims. What I found out slowly from them, and without any attempt from them to push me into Islam, was that Islam was totally different to what I heard and imagined from my past. Islam was tolerance. Islam meant honesty and sincerity. Muslims REALLY cared for other Muslims.

There was a faith in them which really shook me off. All that I learned from them was only by observing them. They did not even know that I was "spying" on them because at no point ever did I let them know that I had become curious about Islam. My hatred had changed into curiosity, because their action contradicted my idea of Islam. Action had spoken louder than word.

I learned from them the behaviour of a true Muslim, unlike what I had seen in France. In less than a year, I wanted to learn more. Because all that I had learned was simply amazing: Islam seemed good!

At that point, without anybody knowing, I started secretly to look for a copy of the Quran. However I was scared to even go near the Masjid to ask for one, and it was out of question to let any of my friends know that I wanted to know more. I was afraid of being pressurised, or I don't know what.

Call it a coincidence, or a sign from Allah, but on ONE day when I was walking in a street, and wishing I could get a copy of the Quran, I happened to pass in front of an exhibition about   Islam. There was my opportunity to ask for a Quran from Muslims who did not know me! It still took me a lot of courage to dare ask them. I was fascinated and curious, but afraid.

After getting a copy of the Quran (mind you, they asked me to pay for it, which I do not think is very wise) I went back home and started reading it. At last I could learn "secretly" what was Islam. I did not want to be pushed by people. I did not want to argue or debate. I only wanted to find out by myself. I wanted to know.

A few days after I got this Quran, Ramadan started. I had a crazy idea then. I decided to do the fasting, the whole things just as muslims do. I also kept on reading the Quran everyday. And that is when Allah opened fully my heart. In just overnight, in the middle of Ramadan, I realised how beautiful Islam was. How beautiful and meaningful its teaching were. How simple and basic, yet so logical. And most amazingly, I was not afraid anymore of becoming Muslim. I wanted it with all of my heart. I took the Shahada on the 30 March 1997, alone in my room. Even though I did not know how to pray (I only knew the movements, not the recitation yet), I started as best as I could to pray my 5 daily duties. I later took an official Shahada in the Masjid in front of witnesses. And I can proudly say now that I am a Muslim. Allahu Akbar.

Now settled in Sheffield (UK), i studied for 4 years, gaining a Chemical Engineering degree and work experience. I also met my wife-to-be there, while I was in my final year. She was a lovely Bruneian Muslim lady.

Upon completion of my studies, my marriage (on 20/6/1997) and the birth of my first daughter (30/6/1998), we decided to move to Brunei, a good (not perfect but still one of the best in the world) Muslim country to live and help our children grow up in an Islamic environment.

I now have a second lovely daughter born on 20/03/2000 in Brunei. 

At present, neither me nor my wife have secured a job yet. But I solely put my trust in Allah. If Allah decree something, then it will happen. If Allah does not want it, then it can not happen. He is the All-Doer, the Most Powerful. From Him only do we seek help. I testify that there is no god but Allah. And I testify that Mohamad is the last Messenger of Allah.

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