Shirley Altamar, 32, Barranquilla, Colombia

Shirley Altamar, a 32-year-old from Barranquilla, Colombia, found her way to the Quran and Islam during the pandemic, an unexpected journey that began in a virtual game where she connected with individuals from Egypt and Morocco. This new friendship sparked her curiosity, leading her on a year-long journey of personal research until she connected with a local community and was gifted a Quran by a sister, marking the beginning of her path in Islam. 

Since then, Islam and the Quran have profoundly transformed Shirley’s life. Before her discovery, she struggled with anger and resentment stemming from her parents’ separation and the challenges of being a single mother. Islam helped her mature, forgive, and find peace. 

“Reading the Quran and learning about Islam is one of the most beautiful and satisfying experiences one can have. It fills your heart in an inexplicable way, showing you that there’s more beyond the material world and that spirituality deeply enriches life”. 

To those exploring Islam, she advises keeping an open mind, constantly learning, and allowing the teachings to positively transform their lives. Shirley believes that understanding the Quran can change people’s perceptions of Islam.

“I believe it is vital that copies of the Quran are distributed globally to allow everyone access to its transformative teachings”.