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RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. – Iverson Watler (also known as Ibrahim) embraced Islam more than six years ago after learning about the religion from his Muslim neighbor. Taking the Shahadah (declaration of faith) was one of the most elating experiences of his lifetime. With his neighbor there to assist him, he began studying Islam in more detail and interacting with Muslims and attending mosques in the Inland Empire. However, his neighbor soon passed away and he found it difficult to integrate into the Muslim community.
"I felt like an outsider and an outcast," he says. Without much guidance, his growth as a Muslim was limited. In his experience, members of other religions reach out to new members of their religion eagerly. "After I became Muslim, I didn’t feel like there were many individuals or resources I could reach out to answer all of my questions," Watler said. "And the Masjids that had those resources were too far away." His experience is not uncommon among new Muslims. The Inland Empire chapter of the Muslim American Society is doing something about it, hosting a series of programs intended to provide a long term system of support for newly-converted Muslims. Though Islam is the fastest growing religion in the U.S., organizers agree with Watler about the lack of organized and developed programs that help the religious, educational, behavioral and social transitions of new Muslims. Watler said after attending one of the programs, that he "retook" his shahadah. "It helped me to reaffirm my commitment," he said. The next program in the series will be held on July 12, at the MAS-IE youth center in Rancho Cucamonga.
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