While learning to recite one’s prayers in Arabic is the first task that a convert to Islam takes on, the motivation to delve deeper into the language so as to understand what is being said in prayer, or read in the Quran and books of Hadith (traditions of the Prophet, may peace and blessings be upon him), can be a great challenge.

Most of us had never even heard the Arabic language being spoken until just before, or after we accepted Islam. Familiarising ourselves with Arabic has been a journey on its own. Here is what some of Ottawa's converts have to say about their experiences with the beautiful language of the Quran:

"When I converted I started using the little booklets to pray and some YouTube videos. I was scared as I knew for like 12 yrs I tried to learn French, but it never stayed with me, but this was different because I had to pray, so that meant practicing at least five times a day. Alhamdulillah (thanks be to Allah), I had put my trust in Allah and that little struggle lead to learning the alphabet over 4-5 weeks, once per week. Step by step.

“Then before I knew it, I was learning the rules of reciting Quran and now after 3 yrs I am reciting Quran on my own. Quran filled my life so well that I did not even think about conversational Arabic. Though now as I learn Arabic grammar, I recognize also the need to understand many Arabic books and be able to listen to Arabic lectures too. What an amazing journey, Alhamdulillah!"

- Female convert

"The question of the Arabic language is a sensitive one for me. There have been many times when I get frustrated, upset and angry because a great part of the dua’a (supplications) or lectures (in the mosque) are in Arabic. In Ramadan, I would go to Friday prayers eager to revive my spirit, learn and remember God. I couldn't hide my frustration after a 30 minute talk in Arabic was translated in English in two minutes. I also feel that I am missing out when customized prayers are recited as I have no idea what they are praying about and I don't feel I'm joined with others at that time.

I have been going to Tajweed (Quran recitation) classes which I am really enjoying because, thanks to God, I have had really wonderful teachers and study groups. However, although I know the letters, it is very hard to read if you don't know where one word starts and the other finishes. I am not particularly good with languages and it is hard to imagine that one day I would speak Arabic but I hope to get more familiar with more words in Arabic, God willing. "

- Female, converted 4 years ago

"In my beginning years as a "new Muslimah" I learned the common words such as inshaAllah (God willing), mashaAllah (praise be to God), etc and learned Quran through transliteration. However, I would say since about year five (I have had almost eight years now as a muslimah) I have been slowly learning Arabic to read the Quran and now I have started learning it more seriously to also speak, read and write in general.

“It's tough and easy to get overwhelmed since it is completely different from English and there are times that I just want to forget about it but the desire to know the language of the Quran always pulls me back.”

- Female convert

"In the beginning I learned enough to say the Salat (daily prayers). I have since been taking Arabic lessons and I am progressing. I am now able to greet and make myself understood with my Arab speaking brothers and sisters in Islam. My intention is to be proficient in my comprehension of Arabic.  Gaining knowledge of Arabic has opened some doors and increased my opportunity for advancement in my career."

- Male convert

"One of the main things that drew me to Islam was that if I had the knowledge of Arabic, then I could read the revelation of God in its original language, as I was aware that the older scriptures had been translated time and time again and changed. This has continued to motivate me to learn Arabic and I have picked up lessons from many gracious and excellent Arabic teachers over the years. Since Ottawa is such a multi-cultural city, with many strains of the Arabic language, I decided against learning to speak any dialect and have focused my lessons on understanding the Quran and hadith. I find that I can usually understand and reply to any Arab person if they ask simple questions!"

- Female convert

"Now that I am Muslim, sitting through Friday sermons that incoherently alternate between English and Arabic is a chore. I don't want to sit in a lecture that I can't understand. Why should I expect the youth to? To my knowledge, not even Allah or His Messenger ever expected such a thing. As Allah says in the Quran, Allah revealed it in "plain Arabic" so the people could understand. And the Prophet Muhammad always spoke to the people in terms they could understand.

“For native-English speakers, English is a language that inspires us, touches our hearts, and reaches us in ways that no other language can. Shoving Arabic words down our throat will not make us love Arabic or Islam. It will only make us resent Arabic. The way to make us love Arabic is to make us first love Islam. And the way to make us love Islam is to teach it to us in a way we can understand (in English). Once we understand and love Islam, we will develop our own intrinsic desire to learn Arabic---and you won't have to shove it down our throat. We'll gladly swallow it on our own terms.”

- Female convert of 9 years, aged 35

I welcome any converts in or around the Ottawa area to contact me to assist me in answering my monthly questions to contribute their voice to this column. I can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . ■