My Journey to Islam: From Finland to Faith

Assalamu alaykum, everyone. I was born in Finland to a Finnish mother and a Russian father. Our family followed Orthodox Christianity-we had icons at home, attended church on Easter and Christmas, and sometimes visited monasteries. I always believed in Allah, though faith was more of a background tradition for us. When I was 16, I traveled to Istanbul and met Muslims for the first time outside of books. What really touched me wasn’t just their religion, but the way they lived: close communities, generosity, and constantly remembering Allah. Life back in Finland felt so individual and distant. In Turkey, I experienced sincerity, warmth, and faith that showed in everyday actions. I got married young, at 18, and became a mother. That marriage didn’t last, but it taught me something important: in Muslim families, even when there are challenges, there’s a strong sense of responsibility, protection, and belonging-something I rarely saw in the West. For years, I studied medicine, living between two worlds: secular Finland and Muslim cultures. The difference was clear-'freedom' in Finland often meant loneliness, focusing too much on appearances, and feeling used. In Islam, even when imperfectly practiced, I saw dignity, responsibility, and real purpose. A turning point for me was a trip to the Maldives. My fiancé’s mother wore hijab, and one day she kindly encouraged me to try it. I never imagined I would, but when I put it on, I felt peace for the first time. Instead of feeling limited, I felt free-free from being judged by my body and free to be valued for who I truly am. That moment changed everything. After that, I knew I couldn’t live half in and half out. I wanted a husband who prays, a family built on faith, and a life grounded in dignity. Alhamdulillah, Allah guided me. I learned to pray, I’m working to finish the Qur’an, and every day I understand Islam’s wisdom a little more. Now at 31, I’m raising my daughter with Islam at the heart of our home. I’m still learning and far from perfect, but I know this is the only true path. Having experienced the so-called freedom of the West, I know how empty it feels. I want my daughter to grow up with what I lacked: stability, faith, and family.