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Conversion to Islam |
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An interview with Mrs. Laurence Yesli Delaporte to the Arabic daily newspaper “Al-Mustaqbal” (The Future).
On April 10th, 2006, the EURL- MIEF organized a ceremony of circumcising about 50 needy children on the occasion of Al-Mawlid An-Nabawi (the prophet’s Muhammad’s Birthday). Among the attendances at this ceremony, there was Mrs. Laurence Yesli Delaporte. This Algerian naturalized woman who has newly embraced Islam was interviewed by a journalist of “Al-Mustaqbal”. The journalist: What can you say about Laurence before her conversion to Islam? Mrs. Laurence: My name is Laurence Yesli Delaporte. I was brought up in a Christian family where my mother instructed me in the teachings of Christianity. I was baptised at the age of four and when I reached 11 years old, I took part in the Mass (communion) and started to go to the church continuously to pray God. Little by little, I became fond of films of terror and at the age of 14, I watched “ The Exorcist” which is forbidden for children under the age of 18. I remember that one day I along with my friend tried to conjure up the spirit of the dead, and to our surprise, Devil /Satan appeared to us. We were so terrified that we fled the place. I did not sleep for three days, and from that time I used to live in a state of fear and stress; I used to hear voices from nowhere and I thought that I was possessed by the Devil. When I was 18, I consulted a psychiatrist and took the medicines he prescribed to me. I lived moments of continuous fright and panic, and I was so fearful that I was sleeping with my mother within the same bed and perspiring under the sheets. This was my life before I converted to Islam. The journalist: What motivated you to embrace Islam? Mrs. Laurence: In fact, I was always searching for an escape from the state I was living due to apprehensions. At first, I started reading books about Christianity, but I did not really find any tranquillity or quietness. At the age of 27, I got married to an Algerian from Tizi-ouzou and in holidays we used to visit it continuously. While being there, I saw my brothers-in-law praying, and the thing that attracted me was the light I used to see on their faces once they prostrate before God. One day, my eyes filled with tears on seeing them praying and I said why not me? Indeed, this was the beginning of a new life and the end of my fears and my psychological crisis. The journalist: How are you living your Islam? Mrs. Laurence: Thanks be to Allah who guided me to the right way. Due to my conversion to Islam, I ceased smoking after I used to take 80 cigarettes a day and I am no longer taking medicines ( 20 pills a day). Sometimes in my dreams I pursue Satan by reciting verses from the Noble Koran. In fact, Islam puts really my mind at ease and now I am living only for the sack of God. The journalist: How did you know about this ceremony? Mrs. Laurence: It is due to my best and beloved friend Naima who taught me the "Fâtiha" (The Opening of the Book) and then the whole prayer that I find myself here among you. Some days ago, she took me to Dr Bouizeri with whom I discussed a lot of things about Islam along with a physician who is working with him. These two persons invited me to this ceremony. |
