BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

A FILIPINO woman has embraced Islam after living in Brunei for over three years.

The 27-year-old, who adopted the name Faatin Zahidah Abdullah Pautan, converted Friday night in the presence of her family, friends, employers and representatives from the Islamic Da’wah Centre.

Before reciting the Syahadah or declaration of faith under the guidance of religious officers from the Islamic Da’wah Centre, the Laily’s Briday employee was formerly known as Cristina Villarosa Pautan.

Once the declaration of faith was completed, the_ Dikir Marhaban _was performed. Faatin Zahidah was sprinkled with bunga rampai by attendees. She was also presented a gift in commemoration of her conversion.

She said that she had taken the effort to learn of Islam in details so she would have no regrets before deciding to take the leap of faith. The Islamic way of life and support from her employers had encouraged her more to discover the intricacies of the religion.

She also said that she felt a sense of calm during her journey towards conversion, especially when it came to the subject of prayers and supplications. She had also successfully attempted fasting during the month of Ramadhan.

To gain an in-depth perspective of Islam, her employers had assisted her in obtaining books about Islam, guided her through the process and helped her in her pronounciation and memorisation of the Surah Al-Fatihah.

According to statistics from Islamic Da’wah Centre, there has been a total of 157 new converts across the country from January to April this year. Of the 157, the Brunei-Muara district recorded 60 new converts.

The Brunei Times