Qur'an Wins Heart of US Professor
Dr. Jeffrey Lang is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at the University of Kansas, one of the biggest universities in the United States. He started his religious journey on Jan 30, 1954, when he was born in a Roman Catholic family in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
The first 18 years of his life were spent in Catholic schools, which left him with many unanswered questions about God and the Christian religion, Lang said, as he narrated his story of Islam.
"Like most kids back in the late 60s and early 70s, I started questioning all the values that we had at those times, political, social and religious," Lang said. "I rebelled against all the institutions that society held sacred including the Catholic Church," he said.
By the time he reached the age of 18, Lang had become a full-fledged atheist. "If there is a God, and he is all merciful and all loving, then why is there suffering on this earth? Why does not He just take us to heaven? Why create all these people to suffer?" Such were the questions that came up in his mind in those days.
As a young lecturer in mathematics at San Francisco University, Lang found his religion where God is finally a reality. That was shown to him by a few of the Muslim friends he had met at the university. "We talked about religion. I asked them my questions, and I was really surprised by how carefully they had thought out their answers," Lang said.
Dr. Lang met Mahmoud Qandeel, a regal looking Saudi student who attracted the attention of the entire class the moment he walked in. When Lang asked a question about medical research, Qandeel answered the question in perfect English and with great self assurance.
Everyone knew Qandeel-the mayor, the police chief and the common people. Together the professor and the student went to all the glittering places where "there was no joy or happiness, only laughter."
Yet at the end Qandeel surprisingly gave him a copy of the Qur'an and some books on Islam. Lang read the Qur'an on his own, found his way to the student-run prayer hall at the university, and basically surrendered without much struggle.
He was conquered by the Qur'an. The first two chapters are an account of that encounter and it is a fascinating one.
"Painters can make the eyes of a portrait appear to be following you from one place to another, but which author can write a scripture that anticipates your daily vicissitudes?... Each night I would formulate questions and objections and somehow discover the answer the next day. It seemed that the author was reading my ideas and writing in the appropriate lines in time for my next reading. I have met myself in its pages..."
Lang performs the daily five-time prayers regularly and finds much spiritual satisfaction. He finds the Fajr (pre-dawn) prayer as one of the most beautiful and moving rituals in Islam. "It is as if you temporarily leave this world and communicate with the angels in singing God's praises before dawn."
To the question how he finds it so captivating when the recitation of the Qur'an is in Arabic, which is totally foreign to him, he responds; "Why is a baby comforted by his mother's voice?" He said reading the Qur'an gave him a great deal of comfort and strength in difficult times. From there on, faith was a matter of practice for Lang's spiritual growth.
On the other hand, Lang pursued a career in mathematics. He received his master's and doctoral degrees from Purdue University. Lang said that he had always been fascinated by mathematics. "Maths is logical. It consists of using facts and figures to find concrete answers," Lang said. "That is the way my mind works, and it is frustrating when I deal with things that do not have concrete answerers."
Having a mind that accepts ideas on their factual merit makes believing in a religion difficult because most religions require acceptance by faith, he said. Islam appeals to man's reasoning, he said.
As faculty advisor for the Muslim Student Association, Lang said he viewed himself as the liaison between the student and their universities. He gets approval from university authorities to hold Islamic lectures. "The object of being their faculty advisor is to help them get their needs met as far as adjusting to the American culture and to procedures of the university. They appreciate the opportunity to have misconceptions corrected," he said.
Lang married a Saudi Muslim woman, Raika, 12 years ago. Lang has written several Islamic books which are best sellers among the Muslim community in the US. One of his important books is "Even Angels ask; A journey to Islam in America". In this book, Dr. Lang shares with his readers the many insights that have unfolded for him through his self discovery and progress within the religion of Islam.
then change of name is necessity, it applies to first name only not the surname/family name.
To be honest, if I were committed to my new religion and lets face it, he must have quite a bit of money, so he could afford to change! Just me being pedantic I suppose.
This is old story actually. However, I highly recommend his books "Struggling to Surrender" for non Moslems to know how he found Islam and "Even Angels Ask" for Moslems, to encourage ummah to be more critical.
Well, it is a minor thing really... In America it is not as easy to change your name as it is in the UK... Usually you need to go before a judge and pay some money...
They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin
However, I would, it would show my commitment to my new religion and I would not bother if it affected my research or writings, as my religion should not affect how good I am.
No, it is not necassary to change ones name upon taking Islaam...
They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin
Dr. Jeffrey Lang is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at the University of Kansas, one of the biggest universities in the United States.
Not being funny, but why does it not say his new Muslim name and then STILL an Associate Professor of Mathematics at the University of Kansas, one of the biggest universities in the United States.
Surely, if he had converted he would quote his new name and use it from now on, or is that not neccesary?
night all
now to reseach who's swaped their brand of cola from coke to pepsi! :D
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
Gladys... I tend to doubt it... Different folks... Different strokes...
They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin
this thread has traveled far and is not just a list of back slapping; from Dr Lang to the Villa and Tom Hanks. :D
Eco:
I can't access youtube tonight as it keeps freezing on me.
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
Is it always not the same story?
was resident of Qatar
Adey, c'mon... It is the same mentality....
Some Muslims like to hear revert stories and some football fans like to hear how Tom Hanks became a Villa fan...
They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin
the concept is only a tenuous link as it's not a matter of life or death.........or is it? Are you aware of the ex Liverpool manager, Bill Shankley's quote?
"Some people believe football is a matter of life and death.
I'm very disappointed with that attitude.
I can assure you it is much, much more important than that."
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
catches hat and passes it back with Man Utd badge attached, sniggers a bit!
And funny enough... As soon as I did that Arsenal starts to fall apart and Villa start to pick themselves up...
They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin
Much obliged.... (tips his hat)
They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin
Ok let you off!
Well, see... Now you understand the concept....
I was allowed to though because I had a very good reason...
I liked Arsenal because when I first started watching football it was during the 2000 Euro championship in Belgium and Holland and I was married to a French woman...
So when I came to England, Arsenal seemed like the right choice...
But then I wen to Villa Park and fell in love with the most English team in the Prem...
They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin
when someone leaves the 'fan club' they get abused :D
Arsenal fans must hate you!! I could go on now about you in the centre circle at Emirates stadium involving a big crowd and a man with a huge sword........but I won't.
:D
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
For the love of god....Arse nil and then V I L L A. YOU DO NEED HELP! lol only joking, life long Man Utd fan here so enjoying the wind up!
Well Adey, I think you would find the same phycology involved.
I will tell you this, I was an Arsenal fan (for a few different reasons) when I first came to England but quickly became a Villa supporter...
And people here in England, especially Villa supporters I sit next to in Villa Park ALWAYS ask me how I became a Villa supporter...
They LOVE the story... About the same as Muslims LOVE to hear my revert story...
They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin
I guess I am trying to explore the 'Why' do people enjoy them and what they get out of them. So these are not threads for disscussion, one should just go 'Whoop'!
I might start posting about the names of new season ticket holders at Charlton. :D
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
Adey I don't think anybody expects you to respond...
Certain people enjoy hearing about revert stories... If you do not then move on dude...
It seems pretty simple to me so maybe I am not getting your complex thinking on the subject...
Some people like to read certain books and others don't... So when you don't like a certain type of book you don't read it...
They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin
You would have to ask a muslim that.
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
No aggression from me, and I don't percieve it from Eco either.
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
Just as I said...I am happy people convert to Islam but can any Muslim please tell me, their stance on them deciding that Islam is not for them anymore. I want to know how sad they feel about it, did they try and help, what is the Islamic feel on it. I am very interested in it, I am not being racist or looking for anger, I just want to know!
you are missing the point of my original post, it's not about the merits of Ali's views, I didn't even mention the merits of Dr. Lang's. That is not what is important here,
So I will say it for the umpteenth time and maybe someone will address the point:
What is the point, or motive, in posting revert stories and how are we supposed to responed to them?
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
I googled Tasleema Nasreen. thanks for the link but I don't feel the need to start threads about her renouncing Islam and I don't see others starting threads about others changing from hindu to christianity, christianity to hindu, muslim to christianity/judaism/hinduism/zoroastronism/paganism etc
But i do see a lot about 'reverting' to Islam - I was just asking what do muslims here on QL get out of it? It seems like a desperate attempt at validation. And what should our response be? As in previous similar posts it has been a long list of 'MashAllah's" and the like.
Thought I would try and broaden the debate a bit. But so far no one is willing to answer my points.
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
Indeed AbuAmerican is right and Ayaan Ali admits it in her autobiography.
She also has a HUGE problem differentiating Muslim's behavior from Islaam. She seems to think that by calling oneself a Muslim that it means that one is free from sins and temptation...
She only started to have MAJOR issues though once she was given a platform...
They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin
As much as you have both posted great different debates, why is there this aggression? Thought you both had great points to make.
what have his parents got to do with him being a muslim? It says quite clearly he did not start practicing Islam until he was 20 and was a muslim for 28yrs.
As I said this is not a 'tit for tat' conversion war, we could post millions of conversion stories each - the point was -what is the use of posting them on QL?
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
Thank you for showing us how it can be done but how somebody can suffer because they have to live another identity.
told everyone he was French. My mother, Mary Magson, was the daughter of Horace Magson, an accountant from Darlington. Her family were Methodists, but like my father, she wasn’t religious
Adey how about chasing Tasleema Nasreen
and?
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
Found it interesting anyway.
Born Aziz Radwan to a wealthy Egyptian family, my father rarely talked about the country and culture he came from and wasn’t very religious. For a long time I never knew he was from Egypt. When he first came to England he called himself Jean Pierre and told everyone he was French. My mother, Mary Magson, was the daughter of Horace Magson, an accountant from Darlington. Her family were Methodists, but like my father, she wasn’t religious. The two of them met in Paris in 1951. He was studying at the University of Lausanne, while she was in the ATS where she’d driven ambulances during the War. After getting married they went to live in Egypt, but as a result of the 1952 revolution and the Suez Crisis, the British Government evacuated them along with other Anglo-Egyptian families. They were resettled in an old Tudor cottage in the middle of the Suffolk village of Coddenham, where I was born on the 12th of May, 1959, fifth child in a family of eight.
Sorry gloopygladys it was not meant as a reply to your question :)
just a general comment and example thrown out there.
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
I think you posted that after my question, as it does not answer it.
I changed my mind and decided to post this excerpt from an ex-muslim just to prove the pointlessness of these types of posts on QL. Again what is one supposed to gain from such stories, how will people respond - Congratulations on finding HIS way in life, Shame or anger that he has abandoned a belief system that he did not believe in, or 'who cares'?
Please do not think I am engaging in a 'tit for tat' conversion 'war' although I suspect that may have been the motive for the OP. As one joins a religion others leave - it has always been thus.
"My father was Egyptian and my mother English and I have 8 brothers and sisters. I was born Muslim but didn’t start practicing until I was twenty when I became very devout and committed. For the next twenty eight years Islam guided every aspect of my life. I completed a BA in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies where I became President of the Islamic Society. After leaving university I became Amir of a Da’wah group in North London and edited an Islamic magazine called ‘The Clarion’. I wrote four books for Muslim children and spent fifteen years as a teacher at Islamia School, the one founded by Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens). But shortly before my 48th birthday I knew I no longer believed in Islam. If you had told me a few years ago that such a thing would happen to me, I would never have believed it and added that no ‘true’ Muslim would ever reject Islam after having tasted the sweetness of Iman (faith). No one who has immersed himself in the beauty of the Qur’an and appreciated its wisdom could ever deny that it is the word of God. If anyone had claimed such a thing I would have instinctively doubted him and been suspicious of his motives. But it is amazing how perceptions can change and things I once thought unimaginable now seem perfectly reasonable. Of course this change didn’t happen over night. It began a few years ago when I started to question the beliefs I had for so long taken for granted and started to look at Islam in a new light.
Little by little doubts began creeping in. At first I tried to suppress them and reacted to criticism of Islam with denial, anger and blame. I denied there was anything wrong, felt hyper-sensitive to criticism and blamed the West for provoking and creating problems. When I did eventually accept that Muslims had to take responsibility for the problems we faced, I still couldn’t accept that Islam itself was to blame. It was the way Islam was being interpreted that was the problem. I started arguing for a reinterpretation and reform of traditional views, but instead of easing my conscience, this only highlighted the futility and dishonesty of such views. Finally I tried to tell myself that although my rational mind found it difficult to believe certain things in Islam, there must be explanations beyond my capacity to understand and that ‘God knows best’. The safest and wisest option was to “Hold fast to the rope of Allah”. I reckoned I had nothing to lose and everything to gain by remaining a believer and so I went through the motions of being a ‘good’ Muslim, in the hope that my faith would return. But this pretence only made me depressed and lose all motivation. The problem is that one cannot choose to believe. Either one does or not and if there is a God, the last thing he would have wanted me to do was to pretend to believe in something that I didn’t. It was quite a relief when I finally admitted to myself that I no-longer believed in Islam.
However the fact that I no longer believe in Islam doesn’t mean I have suddenly turned into a hater of Islam. I know that Islam brings a great deal of guidance, comfort and worthy values to the lives of millions of people. I know that most Muslims are good and decent people. How could I possibly hate Muslims when my family are Muslims? When I speak to my older children about what I think, I tell them they must find out for themselves what they believe and if they feel happy being Muslims then that is what they should be. I certainly don’t feel the need to pass on my own beliefs concerning God and religion to them, something I felt it was my duty to do when I was a Muslim.
While I do not believe in telling anyone what they should believe, I do think one should have the courage to honestly examine the beliefs that are central to one’s life and guide one’s actions. If one is truly satisfied with them, then they should be fully embraced with one’s heart and mind, but if they do not stand up to close scrutiny, then they should be discarded. Life is too short to allow it to be dictated by beliefs one does not truly believe."
http://abooali.wordpress.com/
I will post the video version for all to see he is a real and thoughtful person, as soon as youtube stops being troublesome.
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
I think it's great when there is a healthy debate. I also think it great when people find their 'calling' and if this man has truly found peace in converting to Islam, that is great. Let him find the love of his life and live by Islam. No problem with that.
However, would the story of a convert been had celebrated with such abundant joy IF the story had been about a Muslim 'who had seen the light' and coverted to another religion?
Only asking, as I under the impresssion, rightly or wrongly, that Muslims are not allowed to convert to other religions. If they do, they stand the chance of a death penalty. Is this true? If so, is this right?
my secret plan for world domination - remove all idols with..............ME!!!! But only in a humble kinda way(which ain't strictly speaking entirely true, coz I'm Power crazy me) I would type an evil cackle at this point if I knew how to spell it.
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
Ooo, and you an aetheist too clamouring to be god lol.
-------------------------------------
I attain a near god-like status in the presence of students worldwide - Oh the POWER!!! Next step is world domination! :D
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
Those poor little innocents. Just sitting there like sponges waiting to soak up all that you say.
-------------------------------------
Just got off the back of a lot of extra work - having a night to myself. Besides, Planning??!!??? I just sparkle them with spontaneity and my boundless wit and knowledge!! That's a joke if anyone asks. :D
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
Adey, don't you have books to mark or lessons to prepare? ;)
-------------------------------------
It is not a question of disliking the thread, I have no opinion either way. I edited my last post so you may not have seen what I added:
"Again I just don't see the purpose of 'revert' stories. What are we supposed to discuss here? What is the response to such a post? - Congratulations? Shame? Who cares?"
Let's get away from the specifics of Ali, I could post a video link to a very learned, activist and thoughtful muslim, who is not by any strech of the imagination 'anti muslim', but has none the less abandoned the religion. But what would be thed point of me doing that.
I guess the reason I posted a reply to the OP in the first place, and to further the discussion, is why are these 'revert' stories important?
Or it could be that I am just bored. :)
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
No not a Directional hijack, I just don't see the point of posts about people deciding to change opinions about life - are we going to post every time? We would be here for ever.
I notice that while the good doctor is doing the right thing. somehow Ali must be wrong, misguided and "loving the publicity and loot she got for her story."
If everytime I responded with a story about someone who had left Islam it would be seen as 'bad form'.
Again I just don't see the purpose of 'revert' stories. What are we supposed to discuss here? What is the response to such a post? - Congratulations? Shame? Who cares?
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
Im replying to the second "convert" story. I see people miss-reading the Qu'ran a lot. Like Osama, he miss=read it, thinking he had to use violence to spread Islam. And a lot of these uneducated people tend to interpret the Qu'ran wrong, the men who beat their wives and oppress them do too. She was probably from a family of these people, other wise she would not have converted.
Just thought I'd add that. And I see the hidden truth behind your posting.
if that is what he has chosen to do. Here is another 'convert story. I hope you delight in her realisation as much as you do in Dr. Jeffrey Lang's.
AYAAN HIRSI ALI was born in Somalia and raised a devout Muslim. In 1992, Ayaan was married off by her father in a ceremony which she refused to attend. In order to escape this marriage, she fled to the Netherlands where she won asylum, and eventually citizenship. After earning a degree in political science she served as an elected member of the Dutch parliament for three years. She has since become an active critic of Islam, an advocate for women's rights and a leader in the campaign to reform Islam. Her willingness to speak out and her abandonment of the Muslim faith have made her a target for violence and threat of death by Islamic extremists.
Ms. Hirsi Ali was named one of TIME magazine's ''100 Most Influential People'' of 2005, one of Glamour Magazine's Heroes of 2005, and she received the Prix Simone de Beauvoir in 2008. She has published a collection of essays entitled The Caged Virgin and a best-selling memoir Infidel.
In response to the continuing threats to her life and in order to support the work of other dissidents, Ayaan Hirsi Ali has established the AHA Foundation. The Foundation is a charity organization which believes that open discourse, dialogue and freedom of expression are essential for the survival and vitality of liberal democracies. The Foundation will support Muslim dissidents who have been victims of violence, abuse or neglect, or who have been threatened with violence, because of their political or religious beliefs. It will do so by promoting and distributing their work, as well as by providing security and personal support when needed and wherever possible.
Everyone makes a journey through life.
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
MashAllah