Through our weakness

Ihad set up a stand along Yonge Street. He hands out Islamic literature and talks to anyone who would listen about his conversion to the religion. Ihad grew up in a middle-class American family, and had a regular childhood and teenage years. He converted to Islam two years ago, and now is one of the most out-spoken advocates for the faith at his mosque.

A few Somali and Arab men were with him, but they seemed much more reserved to talk about their experience. One men, who grew up in Egypt, said, "the new converts are always the most vocal. They didn't grow up in the religion, and they have not seen a lot of the problems within the community. They have all the enthusiasm."

I asked him what problems were there within the Islamic community, and what he thought about them.

He answered, "Of course, there are problems. If those who believe are perfect, then we would have no use for Allah. Through our weakness, we see the power of Allah. Through our imperfection, we see the perfection of the Holy One."

*I know very little about Islam, but I am fascinated by faith and religion in general - what drives a person for believe something he can never prove or see or touch? What is this thing we call faith - something so powerful yet so unreal at the same time?