"recognised the person’s passion about Islam" (S52)

recognised the person’s passion about Islam. Jesse fell into a rabbit hole out of curiosity, a religion that he had constantly been told was a foreign ideology of terrorism; a non-stop media bombardment from childhood. Yet, this speaker spoke with such eloquence, smoothly swapping between Arabic quotations of the Quran and Hadeeth and their explanations in English. These were the brown-skinned people that Jesse was taught, whether directly or indirectly, to fear yet this speaker was clearly intelligent and well-mannered completely antithetical to the savages portrayed in the movies and on TV.

As the days passed, Jesse became increasingly interested in Islam. The speakers who often quoted the Quran and the Hadeeth used their logical arguments effortlessly and, for Jesse, they made complete sense. The notions of intelligent design, the natural disposition, the chain of narration and even miracles were easy to comprehend and their logic irrefutable. Jesse was drawn to Islam because both his mind and soul were satisfied so much so he googled his local mosque to discuss Islam further with the imam at the mosque where he would take his shahada (deceleration of faith) on the same day. The mosque at the time of prayer was full of people of every race and ethnicity, a substantial few who were fair skinned and of European descent like Jesse. His story was a common one where many had been convinced just as Jesse was.