So, you want to convert to Islam
Muslim leaders seek to scrutinize newcomers without tainting them
Muslim leaders across the country are debating the extent to which they should probe the motivations of people who express an interest in converting to Islam.
Some imams have proposed a full-on checklist of questions that should be asked of every potential convert. Some are also strongly encouraging new Muslims to participate in Islam 101 classes or to pair up with a mentor as part of a faith-based buddy system.
But other leaders caution against an approach that could cast all interested individuals under a cloud of suspicion. Get too nosy into their motivations or too pushy about getting them to join programs and you might turn them off.
“We cannot impose on anyone,” said Mohammad Iqbal AlNadvi, chairman of the Canadian Council of Imams.
One thing is clear though, he said, imams are being “more cautious” and allowing more time for new Muslims than they did in the past.
Carlos and Ashton Larmond, twin brothers from Ottawa charged last month with terrorism-related offences, are said to be recent converts. Police have linked the pair to John Maguire, a former University of Ottawa student who converted to Islam before leaving Canada to join Islamic State in Syria.
John Nuttall and Amanda Korody, a B.C. couple being tried on charges of plotting to blow up the provincial legislature, were recent converts to Islam. So too were Martin Couture Rouleau and Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, who carried out separate attacks on Canadian soldiers last October.
The process of converting to Islam is relatively simple. All one has to do is recite a short declaration that there is one god worthy of worship and that Muhammad is his messenger. Religious leaders are debating what should happen leading up to that point and after.
Syed Soharwardy, a Calgary imam who founded Muslims Against Terrorism and the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, says he will publish in the coming weeks a checklist of questions he thinks all imams should ask prospective converts.
This is not meant to be an interrogation, Soharwardy said, but rather “passive” questioning aimed at finding out why the person wants to become a Muslim, what inspired them, what level of knowledge they have of the faith, what sorts of challenges they’ve faced in life, and even whether they have a criminal history.
“I’m not saying imams should be detectives, but I need to know what kind of person I’m talking to,” Soharwardy said. “Since many have become Muslim and have shown violent behaviour, I think it is an obligation of our imams to not let Islam be dragged (down) by people who don’t understand Islam.”
It is also critical, he said, that leaders work to stay connected with new Muslims by inviting them to social gatherings and assigning trusted individuals to serve as their mentors.
Aasim Rashid, a spokesman for the B.C. Muslim Association, said the handling of new Muslims can’t be overly prescriptive; otherwise, you run the risk of unfairly stigmatizing them. “As long as they are accepting Islam for the right reasons I would feel compelled to welcome them warmly and give them the benefit of the doubt,” he said. “Until they show signs of promoting violent extremism there’s no reason we have to start doubting.”
Mosques are meant to be open and friendly, Rashid said. “If we create an environment of doubt or suspicion, then you’ve damaged the institution.”
That said, he does agrees with Soharwardy about the need to encourage new Muslims to join classes and programs.