My name is Yahya Schroder.  I am a “European” Muslim.  I became Muslim […] when I was 17.  I am living now in Potsdam, Germany […].

As a convert to Islam, I think it’s much easier to follow the deen (religion) than a born Muslim who is been raised up here.  […]

I grew up in a little village.  I lived with my mother and my stepfather in a huge house with a big garden and a big pool.  And as a teenager I “lived a cool life;” I had some friends whom I used to hang around with, do stupid things and drink alcohol like every young German teen.

The life of a Muslim in Germany is quite difficult than one would think especially for me as a German Muslim because when someone asks a German what they know about Islam; they would tell you something about Arabs.  For them it’s like mathematical operation, Islam = Arabs.

[…] When I lived with my mother and my stepfather I had everything; a big house, my own money, TV, Play-station.  I was never concerned about money, but I wasn’t happy.  I was searching for something else.

When I turned 16 I met the Muslim community in Potsdam through my biological father who became Muslim in 2001.  I used to visit my father once a month and we used to attend the meetings of the community which were held on Sundays.

[…] I started visiting the community every month and learned a lot about Islam but at that time something happened and changed my way of thinking.  One Sunday, I went with the Muslim community swimming and I broke my back twice by jumping in the pool and I hit the ground with my head.

My father brought me to the hospital and the doctor told me:

“You have broken your back quite bad and if you did one wrong movement you’ll become handicapped.”

This didn’t help me much, but then just a few moments before they bought me to the operation room.  One of my friends of the Muslims community, told me something.  “Yahya, you are now in the hands of Allah (God), it’s like a rollercoaster.  Now you are on the top enjoy the ride and just trust in God.”  This really helped me.

The operation took five hours and I woke up after 3 days.  I couldn’t move my right arm but I was feeling like the happiest person on this earth.  I told the doctor that I don’t care about my right arm I’m so happy that God has let me survive.

[…] Now, I can move my right arm again and I was just two weeks there Al-hamdu lillah (thanks God).  This accident changed a lot in my personality.

I noticed when God wants something; the individual’s life can be turned over in one second.  So, I took life more seriously and started thinking more about my life and Islam […].

I moved to my father’s apartment which is rather small and I had to stay in the kitchen but it was okay because I had nothing just a very few clothes, school books, and some CDs.

It must sound for you like I lost everything but I am very happy, I’m as happy as when I woke up in the hospital after the dreadful accident.  […]

I think this is usual because of what they learned from the media.  “A terrorist,” “Osama bin Laden is coming,” “Muslims are dirty,” some people thought I am just a crazy guy.  And they even didn’t believe me that I am German.

[…] My classmates changed from making jokes to asking serious questions about Islam and they noticed that Islam is not a religion like the others.  They noticed Islam is cool!

[…] The special thing on this is that they respect me as a Muslim and even more, they get Halal (Lawful) food especially for me and they have organized two barbecue grills one for them and one for us Muslims!  The people here are very open to Islam.

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My story is quite brief but my journey has been such an eye-opener, and I thank Allah for the mercy that he had on me, bringing me to this beautiful religion which is now my way of life.

About 6 years ago, I converted to Islam, and here is my story...

I have always been interested in learning about different cultures and religions, especially, because of living in Australia. We have such a diverse society; I have always believed it to be important to understand all the different and beautiful cultures and religions. This way you can understand why people are the way they are.

 I have always believed in God, coming from a Macedonian Orthodox family in which religion was more based on the cultural side of things. We went to church for Easter or Christmas as a family or for christening or wedding ceremonies, but we never regularly visited God's house for any other reason.

I come from a very good family with great values and morals, but when it came to religion it was just something that was from the old days and not really enforced or practiced. For me, though, I knew something was not right with Christianity. Things just did not make sense to me.

I was never very religious and, in my younger years, went through questioning my beliefs, even the existence of our Creator.

But deep down, I knew there was a stronger force in action thirsty for knowledge, I quickly learned with my love for reading that the Almighty was there; reinforcing what is truly the undeniable existence of Allah.

I learned about Islam from some of my Muslim friends, but it was from my own research that I found Islam and its true beauty. All the teachings from the Quran then made sense, since there was a guideline for everything in life.

I stopped reading for a while, since the Western lifestyle, then, was still very appealing to me at that age.
But one day, I came across a video called the miracles of the Quran...

What really grabbed my attention was how over 1400 years ago Quran revealed the 3 trimesters of a woman's pregnancy when scientists in the 21st century have just uncovered this fact!

This then made me say the two testimonies (Shahadatain) and I started going to private Islamic classes and lectures.
But still, I kept my conversion to Islam a secret from my non-Muslim friends and family. To my non-Muslim friends I said, I believed in Islam, but I did not say that I made the change.

It was only 3 years ago that I realized, I could not deny or hide my true beliefs anymore. I told my non-Muslim friends and family that I am a Muslim. Alhamdulillah, it was the best thing I have ever done.

Some of my old friends left me, but I am not sad. I realized that it was all part of Allah's plan. Allah made me acquainted with new amazing people who were striving just like me to please our Almighty. My family did not take it as bad as I thought they would. They had their moments and did not truly understand the reason for the change. But I did not have such a hard experience like others who have made this beautiful journey.

In December 2011, I did the most life-changing act, which was putting on Hijab. It was the best decision of my life. I have never been mentally happier in my life. Now I feel I am complete. In 2012, I was invited by Allah to do the holy pilgrimage (Hajj).

Every day, I ask Allah why he had chosen me?! I am not the best of His servants. I cannot thank Him sufficiently, for the mercy He had on me, for giving me the opportunity to open up my eyes and heart to Islam, worshiping and getting closer to my only Creator.