For years, the woman known as Adrine was a fixture of the local nightlife. As a bar attendant, her world was defined by the clinking of bottles, the smell of roasted pork, and the steady stream of income that kept her children fed and her life stable.
If you had told her then that she would one day leave it all behind, she would have laughed. In fact, Adrine wasn’t just disinterested in Islam—she hated it.
But sometimes, the heart travels a path the mind cannot predict.
The transformation didn’t happen overnight. It began with the iERA Duats, who visited her regularly. Despite her initial resistance and the stark contrast of her lifestyle, they spoke to her with a kindness that began to chip away at her prejudices.
Slowly, curiosity replaced hostility. The “hatred” she once felt began to dissolve, replaced by a profound interest in the message of Islam. When the moment of clarity finally hit, Adrine didn’t just tip her toes in—she dived in.
Converting to Islam meant more than just a name change to Shaluwa; it meant a total overhaul of her identity and her livelihood. To the surprise of many, Shaluwa took drastic steps to align her life with her new faith:
- The Vow: She swore off pork, once her favorite food, overnight.
- The Sacrifice: She sold every last bottle of alcohol in her bar, effectively closing the business that had been her sole source of income.
- The Commitment: She began attending New Muslim Support Classes daily, eagerly absorbing the basics of prayer and faith.
“I never expected to convert,” Shaluwa admits. “I hated it more than anything. But now? I am addicted to Islam.”
The transition wasn’t easy. Having lost her primary income, Shaluwa faced the daunting task of providing for her children.
Seeing her struggle, the Duats stepped in to “bail her out” with a humble gift of 20,000. She combined this with the small amount of capital she had left from clearing out her bar stock. Instead of selling spirits, she began frying Mandazi.Today, Shaluwa’s hands are no longer busy serving alcohol; they are busy kneading dough and building a life of Halal earnings. She is a testament to the fact that it is never too late to change your story, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.
