Most Western converts are drawn to Islam through Sufism

QUEST OF THE CONVERT WHY CHANGE?
"There is no compulsion in religion," new Muslims quote from the Koran, keen to challenge preconceptions that Islam spreads most simply by the sword. They say the only notable aspect of the pressure to convert is its absence.

Most Western converts are drawn to Islam through Sufism---the contemplative, mystical aspect of the faith.

Aliya Haeri, an American-born convert to Islam based in London, describes the process as "a search for God but not a religion". She says: "Sufism has a great emphasis on discovering personal freedom, a metaphysical quest. The more practices I took on, the more refined and subtle they became, the more my behaviour changed. My diet improved, I gave up occasional late hours socialising and relationships that lacked any commitment. I was starting to live like a Muslim. People who know me from the past have seen the transformation."

Other converts describe a long search for a religious identity. Many had previously been practising Christians but found intellectual satisfaction in Islam. "I was a theology student and it was the academic argument that led to my conversion," Rose Kendrick, a religious education teacher and author, said. She objected to the concept of original sin: "Under Islam, the sins of the fathers aren't visited on the sons. The idea that God is not always forgiving is almost blasphemous to Muslims."

Maimuna 39, was raised as a High Anglican and confirmed at 15 at the peak of her religious devotion. "I was entranced by the ritual of the High Church and thought about taking the veil." Her crisis came when a prayer was not answered. She slammed the door on visiting vicars but travelled to convents for discussions with nuns. "My belief came back stronger, but not for the Church, the institution or the dogma." She researched every Christian denomination, plus Judaism, Buddhism and Hare Krishna, before turning to Islam.

Many converts from Christianity reject the ecclesiastic hierarchy, emphasising Muslims' direct relationship with God. They sense a lack of leadership in the Church of England and are suspicious of its apparent flexibility. "Muslims don't keep shifting their goalposts," says Huda Khattub, 28, author of The Muslim Woman's Handbook published this year by Ta-Ha. She converted ten years ago while studying Arabic at university. "Christianity changes, like the way some have said pre-marital sex is OK if it's with the person you're going to marry. It seems so wishy-washy. Islam was constant about sex, about praying five times a day. The prayer makes you conscious of God all the time. You are continually touching base."

source: http://www.jannah.org/sisters/england.html