Donna, now Hanan Sandercock, reverted to Islam when she was 28 years old. Sandercock said she felt lost and was searching for the meaning of life. She tried exploring different religions and beliefs, but they failed to give her the answers she wanted.
Being in Cardiff, Wales, Hanan, now 51 years old. was able to meet and befriend Muslims that lived there and welcomed her.
I was interested. Their religion was very important to them. They were solid and had a belief system I didn’t have.
I’d eat at their houses and have the nicest food. They were really open and welcoming and happy I was interested.
Sandercock started reading more and more about Islam, finally took her Shahada at the South Wales Islamic Centre in Butetown and changed her name to Hanan.
I immediately felt a great sense of relief. Islam explains things to me. The answers are all there.
I became part of a diverse community. I was not pressured to be or become a particular way.
I wore an abayah. Being Muslim is an identity and I wanted to show that.
Unfortunately, because of her appearance, she experienced Islamophobia, and things got worse after 9/11. She had to stop wearing her robe and felt at risk.
I stopped wearing the abayah (robe) after 9/11. I knew some Muslim women had been attacked in the UK and America. I had little children and didn’t want us to be at risk. I carried on wearing the scarf but not the abayah.
Despite all these setbacks, Hanan is a proud British Muslim.
I am British Muslim and happy to be. Islam explains things to me. The answers are all there.
