My name is Shayma Pereira Medina. Im originally from Costa Rica – a country that probably everybody knows because of the World Cup 🙂
At the age of 30 I had the blessing of hearing and knowing about Islam, a religion that caught my heart. I started learning about it on the Internet and from some books I got from an Islamic Library in Alexandria in Egypt. I felt "thirsty" for knowledge about the religion of Islam – for the simple reason that the more I read about it, the more I fell in love with it Alhamdulillah!
Then I got the big oportunity of a scholarship – to come to Cape Town to learn about the Deen at the Madina Institute. I had to fly far away from home. I was sad to leave my family behind, but at the same time, i felt happiness in my heart, finally seeing my dream of studying the Deen come true. My wish was to sit in a class and learn about Islam with a teacher and experience the blessing of meeting muslim sisters from all different places.
Today, after 6 months at Madina Institute, and as a new muslim, it's been the most amazing experience. Better than I could imagine! Learning about Fiqh, Hadeeth, Aqeedah, Qur'an, the life of our beloved Prophet Muhammed (Salla alahu alaihi wa sallam), learning the Arabic language! It brings me closer to my Creator, it increased the faith and the love for the Deen. It makes you more conscious about your purpose in this life, but what is most important, as our Shaykh Ninowy says: it should make us a better human being, which is one my goals In shaa Allah. At Madina Institute you will always find a hand willing to help you, Masha'Allah. May Allah bless this Institute greatly – and all the Muslims here and around the world, Ameen!
I know this is just the begining of a beautiful journey of being a student of the Deen In shaa Allah. I feel very happy and positive and hope to share all that I have learnt here with the Latin Muslim community back home. I will do my best to make a difference In shaa Allah ta'ala
Islam is beautiful and we need to share this beauty with the rest of the world 🙂
Al-hamdu lillahi rabbil 'alamin!
By Shayma Pereira Medina (Costa Rica)