Matthieu Cioccocini, Starting from the football field I know Islam

Matthieu Cioccocini. 22-year-old boy from France was first studied religion is Islam. Since childhood, his parents never instilled religious education, because his father was an atheist and a Catholic mother also rarely go to church.

Lucky, Cioccocini who was born in the northeastern French-an area adjacent to the Belgian-since the age of 13 years moved to South Western Coast that many Muslim immigrant communities. Among his friends among Muslim immigrants, only the original Cioccocini French.

"The first time receive religious instruction, is the religion of Islam. Thanks to my friends and family, as well as all Muslim friends from Morocco, Turkey, Algeria and Tunisia, "said Cioccocini.

With them, Cioccocini often exercise together. One day while playing football, a member of the missionary Fi Sabilillah came to the field, and give Islamic lectures. Cioccocini and his friends to stop the game, and listen to the lecture. That was the beginning Cioccocini know Islam.

Initially, Cioccocini away when the group came and gave lectures Islam. One of the members then called Cioccocini Sabilillah Fi for listening, and then invited him to come to the mosque to see and find out for yourself what and how the religion of Islam.

"I came to the mosque and began to be interested. I decided to come back to the mosque to join the prayers, asked many people about Islam and I am much more involved in this religion, "said Cioccocini, who is currently a master's degree in business administration at the University of Victoria, New Zealand.

"That said, I am very interested in the religion of Islam, because before I did not know anything about religion. I was amazed, for example, saw the fast, did not eat anything during the day for a month. I was wondering, how can people do that, "he added.

"Even just during Ramadan, even in the diverse manifestations of the religion of Islam after Ramadan, such as Eid and the like, for me is amazing. I then decided to explore the religion of Islam, "said Cioccocini who aspire to go into the field of international business.

Age Cioccocini probably still very young when it finally decided to become a Muslim. But parents do not mind her son Cioccocini Islam. Muslim friends Cioccocini somewhat surprised at the attitude of the parents that, "Therefore, they consider me as a child, and wanted to help me a lot. They do not want me disappointed. They consider me as a part of a big family. It's very impressive, "said Cioccocini.

Cioccocini was lucky not to have to face rejection from both parents, as is often experienced by converts. Both parents Cioccocini give him the freedom to choose. On the other hand, parents Cioccocini want their son to be in a safe environment and for the father-mother Cioccocini mosque is a safe place, unlike the streets where children can be yelling at each other, steal and fight.

"They would rather I sit at the mosque than the often wandering in the streets," said Cioccocini attitude about his father and mother.

Cioccocini argue that Islam is the best thing for him. Islam teaches to respect everyone, shaping their mindset and teach you how it should behave in everyday life. Islam also encourages Muslims to always learn and study.

"Unfortunately, some of my friends are not interested or do not want to involve themselves with Islam. They eventually became a drug addict or an alcoholic ... a relationship of men and women before marriage ... Luckily I found Islam and Islam helped me a lot in the lives of everyday living, "said Cioccocini.

He also argues, Islam "cure" for those in need. Cioccocini example, prisoners in jail who are trying to learn about Islam, they end up being the people who are very good. Those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol, when Islam know they repent and become clean again.

"Islam is the most effective cure, and Allah SWT. is the greatest doctor we can find to take care of us. If we truly find Him, He will help us, "said Cioccocini.

Since deciding to bersyahadat, Cioccocini claimed never to face problems related to so himself as French as well as a Muslim. But he did not deny, that today in Europe, people began to fear Muslims see such a rapid development. They saw Islam as a religion too quickly into Europe and worried to see many Europeans who converted to Islam.

French society, said Cioccocini, generally just believe what the media reported about Islam, that Muslims are terrorists and happy polygamy, that women are demeaned and other negative images created Islamd and Muslim media.

"They believe it and not trying to find the truth. They do not try to open the book and just believe what they hear ... "

"But fortunately, the people around me began to understand that Islam is not as bad as they thought, because they see the behavior and my attitude to them, and see that I could be a good student, and Islam is not as bad as they believed during this, "said Cioccocini.

"So it is with both my parents. I'm a time to discuss with them, and they said that they finally know Islam is the best thing for me, that I am very fortunate to have found Islam, when both of my parents is not a Muslim, "he continued.

Cioccocini expressed very happily discovered Islam and wished he could istiqomah as a Muslim. Islam will become part of the education of the children, his wife and all aspects of later life.

"I just wanted to give a message to all the people, work with yourself to get to know Islam. Open the book. Reading and learning is not a difficult thing. You can go to the internet or Youtube and the like to discover Islam. Insha Allah, Allah will help you, "said Cioccocini.

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