Seeking Advice as a New Muslim in a Challenging Situation
Assalamu alaikum, I recently embraced Islam after being from a different faith background, and for now, I'm keeping my devotion private. This is because only a handful of trusted individuals know about my journey, and I'm being cautious to protect my identity. My family holds strong negative views against Islam, and if they discovered my beliefs, it would create serious problems. They are deeply committed to their religion and would likely try to change my mind forcefully. I have to act as though I still follow my previous faith, though I've found the truth in Islam, alhamdulillah. The country I live in also has widespread anti-Muslim sentiments, even with a noticeable Muslim community, which adds to the difficulty. This Ramadan, I can't observe fasting or visit the mosque without raising suspicion. Has anyone else faced something like this? How did you handle it, and were you able to gain acceptance from your family over time? My parents are very controlling and prioritize their religion above all, and with our Asian background, cultural expectations are a factor too. Is there any obligation toward family members who are not believers? As a brother, I don't have concerns like hijab, and insha'Allah, when I'm financially stable, I can move out without mahram issues. (Please forgive any mistakes in my Islamic terms-I'm still learning!)