Journey to Islam

Finnish-born Amina Veevo's move to Bahrain marks the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

The 54-year-old mother-of-two recently embraced Islam and has finally found peace after her long journey of self discovery. "Saying shahaadah (declaration of faith) was like placing a missing piece in a jigsaw puzzle.

"I had always felt an affinity to the Arab way of life, Arabic music and culture really interested me, especially when I was a young girl. But, it was primarily after my divorce in 1991 that I started to study both Islam and Buddhism in my quest for contentment."

Amina, formerly Leelo, was born into a Christian Lutheran family. Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity which identifies with the teachings of the 16th Century German reformer, Martin Luther.

"I did not feel any connection with my church and did not attend its services, much to my mother's chagrin. It was a cold, grey, stony structure devoid of any feeling," explained Amina.

Amina, who worked as a translator in a government office, regularly bought books on Islam and Buddhism whenever she travelled to other countries, and attempted to find answers to the nagging questions in her soul.

She travelled to India in 2002 and visited Buddhist temples. The same year, she went to Dubai and while walking in a local souq she heard the azaan (call for prayer) simultaneously from five different mosques and felt a calling.

"I felt a connection. The feeling was so overpowering and I knew that I had found my answer. But, I did not know what to do. I was afraid to share my thoughts with anyone back home as this was after 9/11 and Islamophobia had started to take root in the West."

Amina surfed the Internet to learn more about Islam and started a dialogue with Muslims in the Middle East through chat rooms. In 2004, she read the Holy Quran in English and started planning her transition to a new way of life.

She knew that she wanted to move to the Middle East and embrace Islam. "I could convert whilst living in Finland but I knew that if I wore the hijaab in public I would be ostracised, albeit very silently, in my community and workplace.

"Also, I love the social and cultural fabric of the Middle East. Finland seemed so cold and sterile in comparison, everyone lives in their self-created cocoons."

With just a suitcase in tow, Amina landed in Bahrain in the sweltering heat of August and made her way to the Discover Islam Centre in Manama where she was greeted by Sister Renata, whom she had been in contact with via e-mail. She embraced Islam a day before the holy month of Ramadan and then observed fasting for the entire month.

"Bahrain was an unknown place for me but I was not afraid. Although I was entering a whole new world I knew that everything would fall into place. My search was over and I was starting a new phase in my life as a Muslim woman."

Discover Islam helped Amina find her bearings in Bahrain. Through the centre she came into contact with several other expatriate women who had converted to Islam.

After staying in Bahrain for more than a month Amina briefly returned to Finland. She packed up her apartment, resigned from her job and then came back to live in the kingdom.

Amina now works as a freelance tour guide serving cruise liners that dock on the shores of Bahrain. She regularly volunteers at the Al Fateh Mosque and receives Arabic and Islamic studies lessons. Her sons, Tino, 30, and Tony, 23, plan to visit her from Australia and Finland respectively.

"I have invited my family and friends to visit as I want to show them my new way of life.

"They think that my life as a Muslim woman in hijaab is full of restrictions, but I want to show them that I am at peace now.I want to continue to learn about the religion that has given a new meaning to my life," she said.