Journeys & Reflections

At The Mecca Center, we believe that every journey is an opportunity to learn, grow, and connect. “Journeys & Reflections,” is a special newsletter where our staff and community members share their personal experiences. These stories reflect the diverse and enriching lives of our community.

From Shahadah to Support

Building a Community for Converts at The Mecca Center

By Beverly Thomas 

Twenty-four years ago when I took my Shahadah, I naively asked, “Who is going to teach me to pray?”  The mosque director looked at me and said, “What do you mean?  Go home, take a shower and pray.”  He surely thought that my husband would teach me to pray, but I surely thought there must be a class. I worked my way through by patching together a series of techniques compiled from a variety of books and talks that I had with a few other converts.   

Seventeen years later, The Mecca Center launched the Convert Support Group to provide support for the newest members of our community and asked me to be part of it. How exciting to be part of the pioneering program to provide support after the Takhbirs that are shouted after a new member declares their Shahadah! From our first steps into the realm of convert care until today, our group has evolved the programs and services offered to our ever growing community and the results just keep motivating me and inspiring me to keep going!

Our flagship program–Coffee & Cookies with Converts–remains a safe space for converts to seek advice, moral support and just share experiences. Our biweekly meetings provide inspiration and education as well as opportunity to build our network of friends and chosen family. As word spreads about the hospitality of the Mecca Center and our Convert programs, the attendance at Coffee and Cookies has steadily grown. During the first couple years of the Convert Support Group, we often had only  1 or 2 meeting attendees and sometimes no guests came. Nowadays, we often host a couple dozen attendees. So what changed?

Having an Annual Converts Conference at The Mecca Center has highlighted our role as trailblazers in offering Convert Care in the Chicagoland area among masjids. After our first conference, we moved to slowly build and enhance consistent Convert Programming that is for Converts by Converts.

Last year, we launched our Mentorship program for any brothers and sisters seeking an anchor in the community to help them embark on the early days of their journey. Since its debut, the mentorship program has matched 14 mentors with mentees.

All the while these programs are being carried out, a beautiful phenomenon is happening–a whole neighborhood within our community is evolving. We’ve made connections with each other that were made possible by the programs here at The Mecca Center.  Among our group we’ve had many life events including births, marriages, and even deaths.  Because of the connections we have through The Mecca Convert Group, we have brothers and sisters to lean on. Last summer, I lost my mother and the outpouring of support and duas for me and my family were so comforting. I truly felt that I have the support of the whole convert family. Another sister in our group was married last year and her surprise bridal shower not only surprised her but made her feel the support and love of our sisterhood. 

Not only are we converts building a support system for ourselves, but our children are building friendships as well. When I see them playing and chatting to each other, it really warms my heart.  Hopefully, some of these kids will build lifelong connections with each other.      

The 4th conference is just a few weeks away and we hear from new converts every week– not just converts who take Shahadah here at The Mecca Center. Many of them mention that they are looking forward to the conference and have it on the agenda already! How do they find us? They google Muslim convert and what do they find? They find us!

We received outreach from Norway, Michigan, Kentucky and Ohio as well as all the local brothers and sisters who have joined the group.  

All these accomplishments and programs are the results of an amazing team of volunteers who work continuously and tirelessly to keep the programs relevant and robust! I’m looking forward to the coming year to see what new developments arise–especially after our 4th Annual Conference.  Maybe you can consider attending this year’s conference April 25-27. We’d love to see you there!