My name is Jameelah begum Abdul Kareem Abdul Aziz. I am a 28 year old African-American convert to Islam of 6 years and have been married for 5 years. Shortly after converting to Islam I was fortunate enough to befriend a few members of the community who followed the direction of our Blessed Mursheed.

Often times I would hear about this great man and how he does for people from all walks of life and how much he is loved and admired. With hearing all these great things I wanted to know who this special man was.

I went to a member of the jamaat/community and asked them to tell me who is Sheikh Gilani? I cannot recall their response but it didn't fulfill me. I kept inquiring about this wonderful Sheikh but all the responses were the same. I felt like no one wanted me to know who he was; like they didn't want to share the love. I wanted to love like they loved.

I made du'a to Allah subhana wa ta'ala. Shortly after, my answer came. I had picked up a book that I had purchased quite some time ago but I hadn't read it up until that moment. The name of the book is: Al-Islam in America; Tragedy and Triumph, Published by Muslims of the Americas Inc. and International Qur'anic Open University.

"The people of the Dar were earnestly praying for Allah to send a guide to lead them on the path to Allah. It was because of these sincere prayers that a Murshid arrived and rescued them from an unstructured and unfulfilled life. For the first time in history, Muslim Americans were told, and taught how, to read Holy Qur'an and to study and to understand the Hadiths of the Holy Rasoolullah (Sall Allaahu alayhi wa salaam) and Islamic Law as well." (Page 65)

Reading this book gave me so much understanding about Islam, our Beloved Mursheed, amongst many other things. I think it was from that moment on I fell in love with my Blessed Mursheed, Sheikh Syed Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani and this jamaat. There was also a very beautiful article written by our Blessed Mursheed in the Islamic Post which was very informative about who he was and what his mission is.

Sheikh Syed Mubarik Shah Gilani has established so many programs to help those in need. While we are in our beds sleeping comfortably he is up working for Allah's sake. Lovers of Allah never sleep at night. He is always helping the poor, the needy, the less fortunate, and always working to better us in the community and he asks nothing from us! In the words of a companion of mine, "Abu G is a reformer and he has reformed me!”

It's very unfortunate that there are people out there that slander our Beloved Mursheed's name and talk ill of him due to their own ignorance. I pray that Allah subhana wa ta'ala forgives these people and unveils their hearts as well as their eyes. I pray that they may be guided to the Straight Path InshaAllah. Ameen.

Jameelah Begum Abdul Kareem Abdul-Aziz
Islamberg, NY