On the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversaries of the beloved Messenger of Allah, Prophet Mohammed (saw) and the pillar of the Ja’fari school Imam Al-Sadiq (a), The World Federation’s External Tableegh Department organised its first-ever Reverts Conference, on 21st September 2024 at The WF House in Harefield, London.
The Objectives of the Conference were:
1. Support the spiritual growth of those who have embraced the Madhab of Ahl al-Bayt (a).
2. Identify and address the challenges faced by the revert community.
3. Provide a platform for reverts to share their experiences and connect with other groups.
More than 60 participants from 19 cities across 8 countries in Europe — Bosnia, Poland, Norway, Belgium, England, Wales, Italy and France — attended the conference, which featured 4 workshops led by esteemed scholars. We also had the honour of hosting Mulla Sajjad G Datoo (Bishon), one of the Trustees of the Bilal Muslim Mission Kenya (Mombasa). Other notable attendees included Alhaj Safder Jaffer, President of The World Federation, Shaykh Murtadha Alidina, Head of the Islamic Education Department of TWF, and Brother Murtaza Gulamhussein, President of the Hujjat Jamaat.
The conference, hosted by Brother Abd Al-Rauf Shokoya, began with a recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Brother Ali Akber Dewji, followed by a welcoming speech from President Alhaj Safder Jaffer. He expressed his strong affinity for the Reverts community, recalling his childhood in Mombasa – Kenya, where he was inspired by both his grandfather and uncle’s lifelong work with those who embraced the Mad’hab of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) and the establishment of the Bilal Muslim Mission in Kenya and Tanzania. He shared a pivotal moment when he asked his uncle Marhum Muhsin Jaffer about his passion for working with the wider community, who emphasized that while many inherit their faith, the reverts’ commitment to embracing the Ithna-Asheri faith demonstrates a profound conviction that Imaan has truly penetrated their hearts. Safder Bhai noted that the ethos of The World Federation is “We exist to Serve”, highlighting that one of our primary objectives is to propagate the Mad’hab of Ahl al-Bayt (a). He concluded by expressing hope that through discussions and collaboration, we will develop concrete strategies to support one another and foster growth within the community.
Shaykh Nadir Jaffer, Head of the External Tableegh Department, then introduced the conference and participants.
The agenda provided strategic allocations for each theme, incorporating presentations, discussions and active participation from the attendees.
Theme 1 – Journey towards the path of Ahl al-Bayt (a): Br Abdulah Shabar
Led by Brother Abdulah Shabar, the session provided an overview of his spiritual quest through various communities in the UK, during which he became acquainted with Marhum Mulla Asghar and Marhum Mulla Muhsin Jaffer. He discussed his role in distributing 10,000 copies of the Bosnian translation of the Holy Qur’an to Bosnian refugees and his leadership in establishing TWF’s Islamic Centre – Zivot Foundation in Sarajevo in 2007. Brother Abdulah also addressed several challenges he faced on his journey. He posed an engaging question to the participants: What difficulties did you encounter through your journey to Ahl al-Bayt (as)? This question prompted a rich discussion among participants, who shared their experiences and insights with one another.
Key takeaways included the uniqueness of each participant’s journey while emphasizing rationality, the pursuit of truth, and the exemplary conduct of Muslims, especially followers of Ahl al-Bayt (as). These reflections emerged as significant lessons for all attendees.
Theme 2 – Challenges of maintaining on this path: Shaykh Ayub Rashid
Shaykh Ayub Rashid focused on the challenges faced by those who revert to Islam, particularly within Shi’ism. He noted the differing preferences for the terms “revert” versus “convert” and shared personal experiences of familial rejection, including his father’s initial opposition to his Shi’a faith.
He highlighted issues such as social isolation, loss of friendships, and difficulties in adjusting to new religious practices. Additionally, he addressed discrimination faced by reverts, especially in Western societies, and the internal identity struggles that often arise. Shaykh Rashid emphasized the importance of documenting these challenges to create resources for future reverts.
The subsequent discussion among attendees was candid, with several key challenges identified:
1. Lack of Online Resources for Reverts Community
2. Racism and Rejection in Marriage
3. Matrimonial Conflicts
4. Psychological Warfare with Sunni Community
5. Isolation and Lack of Community Support
6. Need of Islamic Materials Translated in Other Languages
7. Cultural and Religious Guidance for Reverts
8. Children’s Faith Retention
9. Need for Mentors and Elders
Theme 3 – Integration within the Mainstream Shia Community: Shaykh Ahmed Haneef
Shaykh Ahmed Haneef highlighted the crucial role of reverts in Islam and their contributions to the faith’s growth. He emphasized that assimilation should be mutual; reverts can maintain their identities while integrating compatible aspects of their culture into Islam.
He described the spiritual journey of reverts as transformative, noting that all Muslims seek to deepen their relationship with Allah (SWT) at various points. Shaykh Haneef urged the community to build authentic connections with reverts, fostering an inclusive environment.
In conclusion, he reminded attendees that labels like “revert” should not limit individuals. Through understanding and genuine relationships, reverts can integrate fully into the ummah, enriching the community with their unique identities.
Theme 4 – Addressing Specific Needs of the Reverts Community: Brother Razahusein Rahim
Brother Razahusein Rahim opened his speech with a moving story about Prophet Muhammad (saw), emphasizing the need to share Islam with sincerity and love. He highlighted the importance of supporting the revert community, advocating for a structured approach—either by integrating reverts into existing frameworks or creating new initiatives tailored to their needs.
Support and Resources provided by The World Federation:
Shaykh Nadir Jaffer expressed gratitude for the contributions and insights shared during the conference, which aimed to foster collaboration and support among participants. He shared inspiring stories of reverts and their challenges in following the path of Ahl al-Bayt (a) before detailing the resources that The World Federation (TWF) can offer:
1. Book Translation & Publication Support: Assistance in translating and publishing Islamic literature in various languages for wider accessibility.
2. Reverts Desk: A dedicated support desk to provide guidance and counseling on psychological, marital, and personal issues through collaboration with scholars from diverse backgrounds.
3. Muharram Support: The External Tableegh department will send Muballigheen to various countries to support Muharram and Arba’een events for revert communities.
4. Community Visits for Assessment: TWF plans to visit communities across Europe to conduct needs assessments and enhance support for reverts and Muslims.
5. Hawza Online & Madinah al-Ilm Course: Proposing reserved spots for reverts in TWF’s flexible online Islamic studies program and the annual Madinah al-Ilm course for transformative experiences.
6. Inclusive Space for Celebrations and Sports: TWF invites reverts and all Muslims to use its facilities for commemorations like Eid, fostering community and belonging.
Some of the feedback we received from the attendees is as follows:
In between the sessions, special nasheed recitations and celebrations were also held in honour of the birth anniversaries, featuring Mulla Rashid Haider and participant Brother Yassine Messaoudi from Belgium in Arabic, English and Swahili.
The conference was live-streamed on our YouTube channel and has garnered above 1,600 views to date. A recording of the session is now available. To watch it, please click here.
To conclude the conference, Shaykh Murtadha Alidina expressed his happiness upon hearing the inspiring and thought-provoking stories of reverts, drawing meaningful parallels with the experiences of early Islam. He reminded the audience that reversion to Islam is a timeless tradition, emphasizing how the companions of the Prophet (saw) were among the first to embrace the faith. Shaykh Alidina highlighted the divine guidance found in the Qur’an, particularly in the Meccan verses like Surah An’aam (chapter 6) verse 122 and Surah Alaq (chapter 96) verses 9-14, which resonate with the spiritual journeys and challenges faced by reverts. He encouraged patience, perseverance, and reliance on Allah SWT, urging the community to embody the open-hearted spirit of the Ansar who welcomed the Muhajirun. His closing message underscored a valuable lesson to take away: the importance of building strong, supportive centres for both spiritual and communal growth.
The World Federation is committed to enhancing support systems, educational resources, and community initiatives for reverts, and we look forward to advancing these essential efforts together.
