German expatriate Martina Oberholzner, also known as Mariam, is enjoying her first Ramadan in Dubai after converting to Islam earlier this year. The 26-year-old seeks solace in her new faith’s teachings through a German copy of the Quran.
Reflecting on her spiritual path, the marketing professional stated, “Even as a teenager, I felt a strong connection to Islam. Despite being reared in a Christian environment, I have always been drawn to Islamic ideas. I dressed modestly and usually wore a sheila (head scarf). However, it was not until January 2024 that I went to an Islamic Information Centre in Dubai and formally uttered the Shahada, professing my conviction in God’s oneness and accepting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as His messenger.”
Mariam’s path to adopt Islam began at 14, when she first visited a mosque in Munich, Germany. “Accompanying some friends to the mosque, I was overwhelmed by the open arms and warmth with which I was greeted,” she said. “The sense of togetherness and compassion I felt had a lasting impact on me.
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