Rabat – A German woman and an Ivorian man converted to Islam on Monday and Wednesday, respectively.
The Shahada is the Arabic word for this Muslim profession of faith and serves as the Islamic faith’s first pillar. This entails one’s affirmation that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. The two converts proclaimed the latter in the presence of thousands of worshippers in Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakech.
After having had Koutoubi Mosque Imam Wadih Chakir witness their Shahada after Tarawih prayers – the extra prayers performed during Ramadan after the last prayer of the day – thousands of exultant Muslims proclaimed, Allahu Akbar (God is a great) to commemorate the significant stepping stone in the pair’s lives.
Although it is not obligatory for one to alter one’s name upon conversion to Islam, both the German woman and the Ivorian man chose to adopt a Muslim name.
The woman’s Muslim name would thus be Jawhara, denoting an essence or a precious stone such as a ruby. As for the Ivorian man, he chose the name Mohamed Amine.
Every year during the holy month of Ramadan, Koutoubia Mosque, situated next to the prominent Jemaa el-Fnaa square in Marrakech, hosts a number of Muslim conversions for many foreigners from around the globe.
Edited by Marwa Al Omami
