Shameem Sultana is a young Muslim woman, a citizen of Singapore and a graduate from Al-Azhar University, Cairo. What makes her remarkable, though, is her position, especially for an Indian tourist. Shameem is the Registrar of Conversions at Darul Arqam, an Islamic organisation registered with the Singapore government. So, if a non-Muslim decides to embrace Islam, she in her office helps him or her recite Kalima Shahadah, the ritual Arabic phrase which is necessary to recite to become a Muslim. Darul Arqam, which is an institution recognised by the Singapore government, then issues a certificate which the new Muslim can use to change his or her name and for other legal procedures in Singapore and other countries.
Darul Arqam’s English name aptly describes its work and, in the context of India, is a little startling: It is Muslim Converts Association of Singapore. About 700 people embrace Islam at Darul Arqam annually, that is an average of almost two people every day. Those who revert to Islam include both Singapore citizens and foreigners. An official of Darul Arqam said that followers of all religions visit Darul Arqam, but the majority of those who accept Islam are Christians, followed by Buddhists and Hindus.
When I approached Shameem’s office where the process of embracing Islam is performed, a young Britisher was inside the room with his wife-to-be, a Malay Muslim citizen of Singapore, and some of her relatives. I was not allowed to enter the room because the official who was accompanying me said that a stranger going inside the room would be like invading someone’s privacy. After the British new Muslim and others came out, I congratulated him and then entered the room.
There I was introduced to Shameem, a very well-mannered young lady speaking English fluently. She said she had received her school education in Singapore and completed her religious education at a madrasa in Indonesia. She then went to Egypt to graduate in jurisprudence from Jamia Al-Azhar. Currently, Shameem teaches jurisprudence at Darul Arqam, a centre for religious guidance where Islamic classes are held for Muslims, non-Muslims and new Muslims interested in Islam.
Shameem was assigned the responsibility to work as the Registrar of Conversions recently when the Singapore government’s Islamic Affairs Department, the Muslim Ugama Islam Singapura or MUIS (Islamic Religious Council of Singapore), decided to give this responsibility to women too. Darul Arqam is an institution run by MUIS and its name recalls the early days of Islam when Abu Abdullah Arqam, a Companion of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, had dedicated his house for the propagation of Islam.
Shameem said that reverting to Islam is a major decision in one’s life. “Most of the time people sitting in front of me get very emotional. I try to normalise them. The presence of family members or close friends is very important on this occasion and acts as emotional support for them.”
She said that before teaching a person how to recite Kalima Shahadah, she talks to them in private to make sure that their decision to embrace Islam is not due to any outside pressure or temptation. Most people revert for the purpose of marriage, she said, adding that she tells them that their marriage may break but the relationship they have decided to have with Islam is going to remain forever. So, they should not take any decision in haste.
There are a total of 20 Registrars of Conversions in Darul Arqam. Four of whom are women.