Youth Embraces Islam at Interfaith Event

On March 14 in Binghamton, New York -during the United Muslim Christian Forum celebration of the birthday of the Holy Last Messenger, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and the majesty of Holy Messenger Jesus (peace be upon him) - Datiana Sikahema became Muslim. She is now known as Naimah Amatul-Wadud. 

Datiana was born and raised as a Mormon. Her great-grandfather was the first person to introduce the Mormon religion to the Island of Tonga in the South Pacific Ocean. Given her great-grandfather’s efforts and influence in spreading the teachings of Mormonism amongst the Islanders, Datiana’s family became immersed in the Mormon beliefs and practices. 

However, later in life, Datiana began exploring the practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Yet, it would be many years before Datiana discovered a new way of life. 

As time went on, Datiana became more interested in the Islamic lifestyle her family was living and began to do heavy research to find the meaning behind Islam. “I opened my eyes and realized that Islam was the real truth. The Quran is a beautiful book,” Datiana said. 

Datiana, now 17, had actually planned on converting to Islam on her 18th birthday in October. However, Datiana’s awareness that “tomorrow is not promised to anyone” and that she was no exception, led her to embrace Islam at the UMCF event, where she had also participated in the event, singing the Star Spangled Banner with her cousins, Chelsey Larue and Malihah Amatullah. 

Naimah thanked all of the Abdul-Wadud and Amatul-Wadud family for their support: “You have opened your hearts, your doors, and treated me no different than you would treat your own blood relations.”