Serena is an Italian girl born into a Christian family. In 2015, due to difficult situations, he distanced himself from his faith and began to ask himself questions about his religious identity. In 2016 she met her current husband, of Tunisian origin, and began to learn about Islam. Initially, Serena is fascinated by the Islamic religion, but is afraid of the judgment of others and her family. In 2022, after a period of crisis, she decides to embrace Islam and wear the hijab. This decision was difficult, but Serena is happy she made it. Serena has learned that fear is an obstacle to freedom and that faith can give strength and courage. Now she is proud of herself and her choice, even if she is aware that her journey is still long.
Islam entered my soul, brought a light again and I could not ignore it.
My name is Serena and I am an Italian girl born into a Christian family, or rather with a very Christian mother. My father became one when they chose to be evangelical Christians. I have always believed in God , I strongly experienced the search for God's presence and as a Christian I believed I had found it. Until difficult situations led me in 2015 to move away and question everything. I could no longer go to church and pray. I wondered if everything I did in my faith came from me or was influenced by those around me.
In 2016 I met my current husband of Tunisian origin. My first steps into Islam began the first time I came to Tunisia. The call to prayer, the great faith of my mother-in-law who knew how to transmit to me with her affection and with what she did in her day, gave rise to questions and a desire for knowledge in me. Without expectations from anyone, I started my journey by reading, watching seminars and asking questions to the imams in the mosque . Also thanks to an imam I continued my path, who gave me an inner peace that shook me inside.
I was trying to do Ramadan, but I still hadn't made a clear decision and I wasn't praying. I wanted to be 100% sure of my choice because I knew it would be forever. Last year I had my first Ramadan in Tunisia, where I decided to start praying. Things happened to me that only Allah swt could have guided . From there I felt like a Muslim, even though I was still too afraid of the judgment of others and my family, which is why I didn't say it.
In September 2022, this weight and the distance from my husband for work reasons put me to the test. I got down, stopped praying, and started feeling lost. In December I decide to speak with an imam and from there I rediscover the importance of the connection with Allah swt and resume prayers. But the fears of judgment continue to exist and even for work reasons I still don't find the courage to wear the hijab.
In March 2023 I leave my job for my 3 children and for my father who was not very well. There I begin to feel more strongly the weight of not being free to live my life as I want . I have a panic attack and from there I understand that my body was tired of containing all these fears. From the day after this event I tell myself
"Enough! Strength and courage, Allah swt is with me"
and I start wearing the hijab. Best decision I ever made!
And in the end I also realized that I had lived with too many unnecessary fears . It's true, often on the street there are those who look at me, there are those who ask questions or don't understand, but I calmly and respectfully explain my FREE choice. And even with my parents it wasn't as difficult as I thought. I had to discuss faith and false beliefs that she has towards Islam with my mother, but I managed to make her understand and accept my choice because it is MINE and they perceived it. I would never go back!
When I look in the mirror I like myself even more, I am proud of myself and I feel closer to Allah swt . I'm not ashamed of looking different. Even though my path is still long in knowledge and sometimes as a human being I am fragile, I have the awareness that I am stronger and can overcome any difficulty because Allah swt is with me!
Do you want to get in touch with this girl? you can find her on instagram ---> Sery.sun https://instagram.com/sery.sun?igshid=NzZhOTFlYzFmZQ==
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The photo attached to this story is abstract and does not represent the author of the story.
