In a heartwarming tale of spiritual discovery, Simon Aso Oji, now known as Aliyu Aso Oji, shares his transformative journey from Christianity to Islam.
The 19-year-old barber, who made the switch just over a year ago, has found solace and inner peace in his new faith.
In an exclusive interview with the Punch Newspaper's Newmen, Aliyu opens up about the significant differences he's noticed between his former and current religion.
One of the most striking contrasts Aliyu has observed is the emphasis on ablutions in Islam. Unlike Christianity, where believers typically enter the church without prior cleansing rituals, Muslims are required to perform ritual washing before prayer.
"In Islam, you have to wash your hands, face, legs, and head with water before prayer," Aliyu explains. "It's a unique experience that I've grown to appreciate. It's a way to purify oneself before communing with God."
Aliyu's family has been supportive of his decision to convert to Islam, with even his Christian mother congratulating him on his new faith. "I'm happy and feel so much joy," he says, beaming with enthusiasm. "I've never felt this way before. I don't feel bad at all." His siblings, too, have been understanding and encouraging, with even his younger sister expressing her happiness for him.