Helens tells of the truth about Islam (From Stroud News and Journal)

Helens tells of the truth about Islam

The recent bomb attacks on London have once again focused media attention on Islam. Reporter Sian Davies met a Stroud woman who became a Muslim two years ago to find out why she decided to follow what is probably the world's most misunderstood religion.

ISLAM is once again attracting negative headlines, but Stroud Muslim Helen Williams is keen to dispel the common myths surrounding the faith she has chosen to follow.

Helen, who was previously a practising Catholic, converted to Islam two years ago during a trip to Egypt.

She had always been a spiritual person, and found that turning to Islam came naturally.

Having worked and trained as an artist, Helen credits her interest in Islamic art as being the catalyst which finally made her convert.

"I started becoming interested in Islam through the decorative arts in 1976 when the first of those exhibitions came to galleries in London," she said.

"It had a huge influence on the art I was doing and I became fascinated by the Arabic script."

The year before Helen became a Muslim she was asked to illustrate a book from Stroud publisher Hawthorn about Islam, which prompted her to research the religion further and travel to Egypt for the first time.

Helen, who has four grown-up daughters and a five-year-old adopted daughter, Ashling (corr), who was born in China, believes her family is multi-spritual.

One of Helen's daughters is a Quaker and Ashling, along with Helen's other daughters, are Catholic.

She said: "I think being open to other religions is good - I don't believe the one I have chosen for me is the only true one, other religions are just as valid.

"As a family we are very tolerant of each others' faiths - the world could be a lot more like that because a lot of problems are caused through a lack of understanding of one another."

Having studied religion, Helen, who has worked as an art teacher in a number of schools in the Five Valleys, believes the three main faiths are a continuation and extension of the same beliefs.

She said: "The three main religions are very much a part of one another rather than contrasting."

A common myth surrounding Muslims is that women are repressed, but Helen said it is not the case.

She added: "It is my choice to dress like this so I don't feel repressed.

"I've met many very strong Islamic women who are very much in charge of their households and who would never feel as though they are repressed."

Another popular myth Helen is keen to dispel is that the religion is aggressive.

"I think people are against Muslims because of the news at the moment and I'm very concerned about the bad press that they are getting at the moment," she said.

"The very word Islam means peace and surrender to God.

"There is this idea that you must fight for what you believe in but that doesn't mean it has to be in a violent way - Muhammad himself didn't actually ever draw blood even though he carried a sword.

"There is nothing in Islam to justify this kind of horrific behaviour."

Since becoming a Muslim, Helen's lifestyle has changed to accommodate the requirements of the faith.

She is required to cover up by wearing a long skirt, long sleeves and a scarf, and she won't leave the house without wearing them.

"The main reason why Islam asks women to cover up is to stop men being enticed by women," she said.

"I definitely stand out in the town. At first I was very self-conscious of being different but now I have grown in confidence - but Stroud is a very accepting community."

As well as the change in dress Helen no longer eats pork, preys five times a day and reads the Koran.

She said: "I'm a lot more conscious of how I behave and I'm far more modest in my behaviour as well as my dress.

"It has made me re-value everything I thought before because it's such a big shake up and it's also made me re-evaluate what other people are doing too."