For years, Godfrey was known throughout the village simply as Chairman—a respected leader who kept order, resolved disputes, and guided his community with a firm yet caring hand. Raised a devout Catholic, faith was a cornerstone of his life, even if he had never paused to deeply examine the foundation of what he believed.
Everything changed the afternoon two iERA daees arrived in the village.
Following local custom and respect for authority, the dawah team sought out Godfrey first, requesting his permission to share the message of Islam with the villagers. Sitting together, the duat began with a beautiful call back to the Almighty. They explained that every human being shares a single purpose: to worship the One True God who created the heavens, the earth, and everything within them. Anything or anyone else directed in worship, they gently noted, was being praised in error.
“Who have you been directing your prayers to, Chairman?” one of the daees asked softly.
“Jesus,” Godfrey replied plainly.
The daees explained with respect and clarity that Jesus was a beloved creature and a mighty messenger of God—not the Creator Himself. They urged Godfrey to redirect his devotion away from the creation and straight to the Creator who sent him. The simple logic resonated deeply within Godfrey’s heart, planting a seed of curiosity he couldn’t ignore.
When the daees organized learning classes in the village, Godfrey didn’t just give his permission—he attended as a student. Day after day, he sat attentively, listening to lessons on the clarity of Tawheed (the absolute oneness of God), the character of a Muslim, and the authentic life of Jesus in Islam.
The defining moment arrived during a visit from the iERA dawah coordinator. As the coordinator spoke to the class, reinforcing the pure message of worshipping the Unseen God without partners, the truth struck Godfrey with overwhelming clarity.
Without waiting for the session to end, the Chairman raised his hand. Right there in front of the community he led, he asked what islam needs for one to convert to islam, but the coordinator replied that he only needs to take shahadah. Right after the class, he approached the coordinator, requested to be guided into Islam. With a calm heart and firm conviction, Godfrey declared his faith, reciting the Shahadah: “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.”
To honor his new path and his duty to guide others toward the truth, he chose a fitting new name: Khatib—the orator who calls people to goodness. The man who once governed only the village’s worldly affairs had now found the spiritual clarity to lead his people by example.
