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Eid can be lonely for Muslim reverts, says Peterborough charity 'Eid can be lonely for Muslim reverts', says Peterborough charity
(about 13 hours later)
Hayley Oliver works with the New Muslim Circle and is passionate about helping revert Muslims Hayley Oliver works with the New Muslim Circle
As a month of family celebrations around Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr pass for another year, for some Muslim reverts - people who have converted to Islam - the whole time period could be "isolating and lonely" instead, a charity said. As a month of family celebrations around Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr pass for another year, for some Muslims who have converted to Islam the whole time period could be "isolating and lonely" instead, a charity said.
New Muslim Circle, in Peterborough, supports converts in their journey of faith by teaching them how to pray, organising regular meet-ups and hosting meals and celebrations.New Muslim Circle, in Peterborough, supports converts in their journey of faith by teaching them how to pray, organising regular meet-ups and hosting meals and celebrations.
Natalia Zaman, who became a Muslim in 2007, described the charity as a "safe space" and a "lifeline" for those it helped.Natalia Zaman, who became a Muslim in 2007, described the charity as a "safe space" and a "lifeline" for those it helped.
Nasirah Alam, who founded it in 2013 after feeling "left out" when reverting to Islam, said the group saw an increase every year in those it supported. Nasirah Alam, who founded it in 2013, said the group saw an increase every year in those it supported.
The charity said it supported reverts with learning the practices of Islam The charity said it supported people with learning the practices of Islam
Ms Alam, 47, chose to become a Muslim 20 years ago while living in London.Ms Alam, 47, chose to become a Muslim 20 years ago while living in London.
After moving to Peterborough, she struggled to get support and decided to set up the charity.After moving to Peterborough, she struggled to get support and decided to set up the charity.
The group started with about 20 women and it has since grown to about 100. It also supports men in their journeys from across the city and Fenland.The group started with about 20 women and it has since grown to about 100. It also supports men in their journeys from across the city and Fenland.
"We have people between the ages of 18 until about 70 years, from African background, eastern Europeans, Caribbean backgrounds - it's a real diverse bunch," Ms Alam said."We have people between the ages of 18 until about 70 years, from African background, eastern Europeans, Caribbean backgrounds - it's a real diverse bunch," Ms Alam said.
"When people come into Islam, they kind of lose themselves. They feel like they need to adapt to be someone else - for example, it might be a new way of cooking, a new way of dressing... we say, 'Look, you can do that, but you can be who you are.'"When people come into Islam, they kind of lose themselves. They feel like they need to adapt to be someone else - for example, it might be a new way of cooking, a new way of dressing... we say, 'Look, you can do that, but you can be who you are.'
"Islam focuses on having a good character, so become a better version of yourself.""Islam focuses on having a good character, so become a better version of yourself."
Natalia Zaman said New Muslim Circle had been "amazing" to herNatalia Zaman said New Muslim Circle had been "amazing" to her
Ms Zaman, who is originally from Latvia, reverted from being an Orthodox Christian after she got married. Ms Zaman, originally from Latvia and formerly an Orthodox Christian, described the process as a "slow and long journey" and recalled feeling "overwhelmed".
She described the process as a "slow and long journey" and recalled feeling "overwhelmed".
She initially hid her new identity from friends as she was "fearing exclusion", she said.She initially hid her new identity from friends as she was "fearing exclusion", she said.
"You need to make sure to take it step-by-step. My husband was a guide and support for me," Ms Zaman said."You need to make sure to take it step-by-step. My husband was a guide and support for me," Ms Zaman said.
"I went through some difficult circumstances, and then having a child with disabilities and other health issues of myself… that drawn me more to Islam and I became a very practising Muslim.""I went through some difficult circumstances, and then having a child with disabilities and other health issues of myself… that drawn me more to Islam and I became a very practising Muslim."
She said without the New Muslim Circle she would have "really struggled".She said without the New Muslim Circle she would have "really struggled".
"I have no siblings and not a big family. New Muslim Circle became my family. It became my safe space. It was my lifeline.""I have no siblings and not a big family. New Muslim Circle became my family. It became my safe space. It was my lifeline."
'Question your identity''Question your identity'
Hayley Oliver, from Peterborough, said she was 15 years old when she reverted to Islam in 1998 after being inspired by her Muslim friends, but felt "very isolated". Hayley Oliver, from Peterborough, said she was 15 years old when she converted to Islam in 1998 after being inspired by her Muslim friends, but felt "very isolated".
"As a new Muslim you are trying to find your feet, find your identity, and that's why you need that support around you," she said."As a new Muslim you are trying to find your feet, find your identity, and that's why you need that support around you," she said.
Ms Oliver said her family thought she had been "brainwashed" and she was kicked out of the house after the 9/11 attacks. She said her wider family also made her feel unwelcome.Ms Oliver said her family thought she had been "brainwashed" and she was kicked out of the house after the 9/11 attacks. She said her wider family also made her feel unwelcome.
"You do feel alone... you don't feel totally accepted from the born Muslims. But you don't feel accepted at all from your own kind."You do feel alone... you don't feel totally accepted from the born Muslims. But you don't feel accepted at all from your own kind.
"So, you question it - what am I? Who are my people?"So, you question it - what am I? Who are my people?
"Now I feel like reverts do our own thing, instead of looking for acceptance.""Now I feel like reverts do our own thing, instead of looking for acceptance."
She said her family had since accepted her faith.She said her family had since accepted her faith.
Ms Alam said New Muslim Circle tried to act as a "bridge" between reverts and their non-Muslim families, and worked with the city's mosques, churches, food banks and other organisations in the community. Ms Alam said New Muslim Circle tried to act as a "bridge" and worked with the city's mosques, churches, food banks and other organisations in the community.
"It is important to engage with other faiths, other organisations to show them we are normal people," she said."It is important to engage with other faiths, other organisations to show them we are normal people," she said.
New Muslim Circle put on an event for Eid al-Fitr for families to come together and share a mealNew Muslim Circle put on an event for Eid al-Fitr for families to come together and share a meal
The month of Ramadan, which began on 1 March this year, is the most important time in the Islamic calendar, where Muslims fast and refrain from eating or drinking between dawn and sunset.The month of Ramadan, which began on 1 March this year, is the most important time in the Islamic calendar, where Muslims fast and refrain from eating or drinking between dawn and sunset.
It concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which is a time of family celebrations following congregational prayers.It concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which is a time of family celebrations following congregational prayers.
Ms Oliver said she often felt "lonely" at Eid.Ms Oliver said she often felt "lonely" at Eid.
"Initially I struggled with Eid. Even now it can feel a bit boring."Initially I struggled with Eid. Even now it can feel a bit boring.
"There's Eid in the Park [in Peterborough] and the New Muslim Circle put something together. But when you go home... you are on your own.""There's Eid in the Park [in Peterborough] and the New Muslim Circle put something together. But when you go home... you are on your own."
When someone wants to embrace Islam, they express their desire and usually take an oath and say their first prayer at a mosque.When someone wants to embrace Islam, they express their desire and usually take an oath and say their first prayer at a mosque.
The mosques can then refer them to support groups for further guidance, if required.The mosques can then refer them to support groups for further guidance, if required.
The Convert Muslim Foundation, a UK-based charity, said converting to Islam was a "deeply personal and spiritual decision, yet it comes with its own set of unique challenges", including discrimination.The Convert Muslim Foundation, a UK-based charity, said converting to Islam was a "deeply personal and spiritual decision, yet it comes with its own set of unique challenges", including discrimination.
It said initiatives like New Muslim Circle were "paving the way" by "creating safe spaces where converts can explore their faith, learn how to practice Islam practically, and connect with others who share similar experiences".It said initiatives like New Muslim Circle were "paving the way" by "creating safe spaces where converts can explore their faith, learn how to practice Islam practically, and connect with others who share similar experiences".
It has launched an online platform that enables people who have embraced Islam or are considering the faith to search for nearby services and get common questions answered.It has launched an online platform that enables people who have embraced Islam or are considering the faith to search for nearby services and get common questions answered.
Updated on 5 April 2025: Changes language used in the piece.
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