This is my opinion regarding the presentation which I attended at the Memorial Union titled “My journey to Islam” on Saturday by Yusha Evans.

Evans based his conversion to Islam on two main issues. He wanted something tangible that proved the validity (not faith) of Christianity and he mentioned that the prophets of God should be perfect and without flaw(s) as he found in the Koran versus the Bible.

When one begins to read the Bible, one must have both mind and heart open to belief and faith. In order to understand Evans’ conversion from Christianity to Islam we must take a logical and “tangible” approach as he has done, keeping in mind that for most people, logic comes easier than faith.

Let us simply start where the angel Gabriel meets with Muhammad and revealed to him the Koran. This grand moment is the foundation for the Koran. However, there is no evidence, artifacts, video, or satellite image which depicts the conversations that took place between the angel Gabriel and Muhammad. Until the end of days there will never be “tangible proof” of such a grand event and the same applies to grand events in all religions. The only way to become a follower of Islam or any religion is to believe and have faith that things such as angels exist.

Let us move into Evans’ second main issue for his conversion, “perfection.” Evans stated that the “Koran is perfect,” along with all its prophets. I think it would be safe to assume that the majority of the human population, whether religious or not, would agree that nothing in this world is perfect, from a plant’s dependency on light to the genetic problems all life faces. If one believes in God, then he or she might claim that perfection may only lie within God. Yet I find it difficult to understand how non-perfect human beings can even recognize perfection.

For these reasons, I logically dismiss Evans’ “tangible” reasons for his conversion. However, I am very happy to hear and see that Evan’s has found himself and is at peace.

James Delgado

Graduate Assistant, Agronomy