Conversion to Islam is a simple process in which a testimony of faith is given. This testimony, known as the shahada, is usually done at a mosque, in front of a supportive congregation. But these days, during the Covid pandemic, American mosques are closed so new converts have turned online for guidance. According to the Washington Post, converts are “embracing a new normal, doing virtual conversions and finding Muslim communities online to help them navigate their spiritual path.”
According to Imam Omar Suleiman, founder and director of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, the institute saw an increase in conversions this year, approximately 22 people converted to Islam via Zoom. “You have a lot of people that otherwise would have maybe gone to a local masjid and ask some questions that were just sort of online and ended up being a part of that online community,” says Imam Suleiman. “And so it kind of became a trend where someone says I’ve been following along and I wanted to convert to Islam as well.”
Jordan Pearson, who lives in Boston, recently converted with the Yaqeen Institute. In May, he sat in his bedroom and took his shahada with Imam Suleiman and Jordan’s friend over Zoom. “They embraced me, and it was amazing,” remarks Pearson. “It was kind of surreal for a couple of days that I’m Muslim.”
