Jonathan; early life and the story of his conversion to Islam

Jonathan; early life and the story of his conversion to Islam

 

Jonathan, the son, grew up in his family house. It consists of his father Burt, who was catholic, his mother who was an artist that born in America, Jane Lake and his young sister Eliza. No religious indications pointed out the childhood of Jonathan that may gesture a religious future of him. His catholic father Burt confessed that he did not pay much attention to his son conversion to Islam. In this regard, he says: "I was not a religious man, however I do respect religion". When Burt was in the British Manchester University studying the Modern History and the Politic Sciences, he wet with a Muslim student who perpetually changed his view to religion. A Muslim colleague in the room of Jonathan had a significant impact in this change. As well, this Muslim colleague influenced much on Jonathan through his manners and way of life. Jonathan does not consider that such colleague is the reason behind his conversion to Islam, however, he considers him as playing a significant part on his decision of conversion to Islam.

In the mid of the last academic year for Jonathan, he left the course of studying.

Frank Ogurman, Professor of Modern History and Politic Sciences was in the British Manchester University stated that Jonathan relinquished studying because he could not settle here, personal troubles he encountered and he was not content with the curricula.

Jonathan was registered in the bachelor degree in the comparative religions section in the African Eastern Institute affiliated to London University.

This time, he was interested in this specialization, showing that there would be no troubles to deter him; however he got his certificate with excellent honor degree in this subject.

When he joined the post graduate course held in Warwick University concerning training the instructors, he, after few weeks, chose to work in an Islamic center.

Jonathan friends state that he was thinking that his thoughts and views may be come true through Islam. In the meantime, he used to spend his time from Monday till Friday with his family in south London. However, he used to spend the weekend, Saturday and Sunday with his wife in oxford.

Jonathan, son of John Burt who acted as General Manager of BBC, was dedicated to work during summer holidays in an Islamic library specialized in selling the Islamic books and publications. As well, he used to debate with the customers on Islam declaring to them the Islamic vision on handling many of the issues that the humane communities experience. Throughout this spiritual course, Jonathan studied Islam profoundly. On a deep contemplation, he was led through this spiritual course to adopt Islam.

At that time, he was living in his family house in Norbury south of London with his parents and sister. Jonathan changed his name after conversion to Islam to Yahya, the Arabic name similar to Jonathan. Jonathan was pleased with his new name. He was not keen to make use of the informative fame of his father; rather he used to prefer self effacement. He was enthusiastic to activities of Da`wah and believed that his work in the library would facilitate his mission in Da`wah to Islam with his customers who frequently come to the library.

Here, we will look closely at the spiritual course that led Jonathan to adopt Islam since nine years.

Father of Jonathan, Burt, declared that there were not much common points between him and his son Jonathan though they live in the same house for most of the week. Burt had apprehension that he and his son will get separate life.

The task of John Burt was that he is entitled to lead a teamwork composed of thousands of people to introduce information for millions of people worldwide. On the other hand, his son, Jonathan, was endeavored to spend his whole days spreading Islam at a narrower scale.

Islam and TV

While Burt used to go to BBC headquarter in limousine in mid of London, his son Jonathan used to take the train from Station Windowarth Common to the Islamic library in south London in which he used to work during the summer holidays. Islamic books are sold in this library which is known as "Al-Azhar Academic Library" which has been inaugurated in the beginning of August 1997 AD.

Those working with Jonathan in such Islamic library used to sell the Islamic books and publications which extraordinarily contained a book titled "Islam and TV". Jonathan was the only non-Asian person among Asians working in this Islamic library and, as well, the only person working in the center to which the Islamic library is affiliated. Jonathan used to inform the visitors of the coursed conducted, like Arabic and the Islamic traditions.

Jonathan kept working in this Islamic library during summer out of his interest in Islam which he adopted from nine years.

Though his western early life, he was proud of his Arabian name Yahia which is the opposite name to Jonathan. He used to quote Arabic phrases from the noble Quran on talking.

Honeymoon

On July 1997 AD, jonathan married to Indian Muslim girl called Fawzyah Burah. During honeymoon, they visited Syria, Jordan and the eastern Jerusalem out of his desire to get closely acquaintance with the Islamic antiques in such lands.

Jonathan and Fawzyah have met for the fist time in a lecture on 1996 AD. a friend of them stated that Fawzyah was working as a journalist at that time and was working on master degree on "Egypt History, intermediate era" in the British oxford university. She got excellent honor degree in English Language from St. Hilda's College, Oxford University which is limited only to girls.

A friend of Jonathan stated that the honeymoon journey of Jonathan and Fawzyah was a blessed one as they sought visiting some of the Islamic sites. He further added that they spent some time in Jerusalem and had a tour to the Islamic sites in Jerusalem in the company of two Palestine people whom they met there. Jonathan and Fawzyah support the Palestine issue. They sought visiting mosques and the Islamic centers in London, oxford and some other British cities. He concluded his statements saying that they are happy couples in their marital life.

Jonathan refuses to interview the variant British mass media on his personal life. As well, he refuses to talk about his faith and Islam as he deems them personally and not for public. At the same time, he is not introvert or fears the public gatherings; however he does not hesitate to talk publicly propagating Islam through debate in the best manner. This is based on the Quranic verse: (Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best), An-Nahl, 125 and the prophetic Hadith: (Transmit even one tradition on my behalf).

On his refusal to interview the British mass media on his personal life and Islam, this is because he deems it a personal matter that concerns no body but him.

Jonathan stated that my father is a personage and a renowned information-man, but I am not so. This is in fact evidence to the distinction between him and his father. Burt said: "I am very happy of my son's personal life; also I am happy on his marriage to the Indian journalist Muslim Fawzyah Burah".

Now days we as Muslims have to spread the voice to learn quran online and so we could gain the true knowledge and the quran teaching that is give to us by our beloved prophet Muhammad peace be upon him and do quran reading. Do we as Muslim ask our self that why we are at the peak of destruction? The answer will be simple that we have left our roots the holy quran we should guide promote Islam from in our homes first and let learn our kids quran  and encourage them in doing quran memorization this should be our first goal for it we can do different stuff like let then participate in different online quran recitation competition to let them read quran from different online quran reciters and along with it we elders should learn quran also and improve our knowledge of quran and Islam and learn holy quran tafseer because to understand and learn quran Arabic and for this now a days there are many online quran tutor available who teach tajweed quran and its translation and tafseer so let us join our hands to be the voice of Islam and let improve the image of it as well and full fill our duty