Male

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I’m a thirtysomething English Muslim, living in the Valleys of South Wales (UK), though I’m originally from Hackney in the East End of London (I’m a Cockney). I’m married and have 3 children. We live in Merthyr Tydfil, one time engine of the British Industrial Revolution and a former stronghold of the workers’ rights movement.

I’ve been a paid-up, card carrying member of Islam for the last 9 years, though I’ve been interested in things Islamic for at least 15 years or so. I’m deeply fascinated by the religious traditions of the world in general, and by Islam, in all its forms, in particular. Like most converts, I’ve moved through a whole range of groups and broadly speaking, I’ve come to realise that I dislike the narrow-minded group mentality such organisations often foster.

I am a Sunni Muslim, although I am deeply interested in Shi`a Islam too. I am a broad follower of the Hanafi school of law and I am deeply drawn towards the spiritual path of Sufism (to which end I am currently a part of the broad Threshold Society community, within the Mevlevi tradition). My aim in writing this blog is to learn: about God, about myself and about this strange thing called life. As intention is fundamental to any spiritual growth, I’ve written some thoughts on this topic.

Abdur Rahman (which, incidentally, means ‘Servant of the Merciful’) is the name I chose when I became a Muslim some years ago. Although name changes are a common feature of the conversion experience, it is not a necessary requirement within Islam. However, in my own case, my choice of this particular name is purely aspirational; I would like to one day become a true servant of God.

It’s worth noting that this is not my official name; you won’t find it on my passport! Abdur Rahman is thus my Muslim alter ego and in the world of blogging, it serves as a useful pseudonym. I value my privacy and that of my family.