According to Astan Quds Razavi, Katrina Sholdwa, a Christian girl, uttered Shahada (the Islamic declaration of faith) in the Razavi holy shrine and converted to Islam after several months of investigation and taking part in the question and answer sessions with the experts of the Razavi holy shrine.
“I am 25 years old; I was already a Christian and I come from Czech Republic. I am a graduate of medicine from Czech University and currently I am engaged in teaching”, she said.
The Muslim convert recounted her motivation for choosing Islam and Shi’ite the comprehensive instructions of this religion and remarked, “Islam is a perfect religion that can meet all human needs. It has all-inclusive instructions for a good living.”
Regarding her familiarity with Islam, the university professor said, “Once I had travelled to Turkey; upon hearing Azan (call to prayer), I heard some words that evoked some queer feelings inside me. I became so affected and unconsciously started uttering some words whose meaning I did not know.”
“After I returned to my country I began studying about Islam and that pleasant voice I had heard. At last I came to accept Islam as the best religion and I found my questions in this religion”, she pointed out.
The Muslim convert who has chosen the name ‘Zahra’ for herself added, “Making acquaintance with Iranian friends and observing their behaviors and manners and my investigations caused me to become more curious about Islam and to choose the way of my life to reach more tranquility.”
“I studied Qur’an and Nahj al-Balaghah intensively and also browsed in Islamic websites”, she continued.
Expressing happiness with having the chance of being in the holy shrine of Imam Reza (8th Shia holy Imam), she said, “I cannot express what is in my heart about Islam but I should say that I was reborn by embracing Islam.”
In a session held magnificently in the holy shrine by Management of Non-Iranian Pilgrims of Astan Quds Razavi, the Muslim convert was granted some gifts including Qur’an, Nahj al-Balaghah, and ‘Nemuneh’ Commentary as memorials.