I unfortunately missed the majority of secondary school. I returned in year 11, the final year. Due to my condition, I had to ease my way back. I would start from 9:00 till lunch time. The first couple of weeks were exhausting. Eventually, I would return to being a full time student. Everything was new to me having missed a bulk of my teenage years. Friends were different, the dress sense, the music, even the technology. I had a lot of catching up to do.
I became very popular, everyone wanted to be my friend. I remember attending an assembly, an announcement was made of my return which really got my name out there. Everyone wanted to know my story and where I'd been. I really enjoyed catching up with each individual. Easily, one of the best years of my life. My return is another whole story within itself. So many adventures and experiences. Jam-packed literally.
Nevertheless, I became very good friends with two Muslims. Best friends at the least. They were a part of the gifted and talented group in school. Top grades and they made everything look easy. I had never stepped into a Muslim household before. I was a tad nervous because I didn't know what to expect. I mean this was my first encounter with Muslims. I had always been fed a negative assumption regarding them. So for me to interact, engage and step into their premises was a big deal for me. I learnt to have a open mind and let authentication do the talking rather than mere talk. It shed a lot of light, a positive light. We discussed many topics, especially religion. I would share my feelings on the topic and also debate.
Having the internet at home was the coolest thing for me, social media blew my mind. MySpace, Bebo, Hi5, if you know you know. Even the Sky box was exciting, I would flick through the channels none stop. For everyone else it was normal. I would research a lot just to have fruitful conversations with my friends. I'd focus on Christianity and Islam. Reason being, I found correlation between the two. But also many differences. As I delved into the topic of religion, research shifted my focus onto Islam. The innate feelings would gel well with the "God concept" in Islam. Plus the Muslims I knew, were not very practising from I recall. It came to the point I would educate them through my research. This was just the beginning.
It's funny because I had this pre-set mind towards Muslims, a negative one. Now I laugh till this day because I am also one. Its amazing what ignorance can do to a person, it paints a hoax. A picture that does not exist. A little education combined with sincerity sheds truth for those who want to hear it.
Next blog I expand on the research process and a old friend I encounter who was on the same path as me. Also its the finale.
Comments