African American Women's Experiences Around Conversion to Islam

Abstract

This article focuses on the experiences of African American women who converted from Christianity to Islam. Examining qualitative data from interviews with 15 Muslim women, we identified common experiences the women had in their paths to Islam. These experiences included predisposing conditions, experiencing challenges, social ties and relationships with Muslims, observing others, and positive experiences during the conversion process. We also found that dissatisfaction with their religious upbringing, life events, close and distant relationships, and feelings of peacefulness entered into the process, which seemed to be gradual. Similarities and differences between these findings and models of conversion and implications for social work practice with African American Muslim women are discussed.

Keywords:

• religious conversion
• African American Muslim women
• Islam

Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by a grant from the Research Foundation, University of Pennsylvania.