FILIPINO Hope Prado Camantes now known as Noor Amal Farhana Camantes Abdullah embraced Islam yesterday in a ceremony held at the residence of Hjh Norsiah Md Salleh in Kampung Perpindahan Mata-Mata Gadong.

Having lived in Brunei for almost four years, the 26-year old who works at CoffeeZone said that it was her destiny to become a Muslim.

Previously a Christian, Noor Amal Farhana Camantes said that living in Brunei has exposed her to a lifestyle she has never known before.

"Living here in Brunei has shown me the way of life of the Muslims," she said, adding that it has affected her in a number of ways.

"It has been many years now that I haven't gone to a church," she explained, "and the culture here captures my interest about Islam as a way of life."

She continued that with her curiosity and the help of her friends, she has been learning about Islam.

"I have started fasting two years ago," she added, "and I have stopped eating pork even before this."

"My parents have seen these little changes in my lifestyle when I returned to my home in the Philippines and I have told them about my interest to convert during my visit two years ago," she said.

"They respected my decision and supported my choice," she continued. "So I resolved to take this step a year ago and have been waiting for the right time."

"I had someone to help me guide through the conversion procedure at the Islamic Dakwah Centre," she added.

Yesterday, she took an oath declaring her faith in the Oneness of Allah (SWT) and the seal of the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) and recited the syahadah (declaration of faith) in the presence of two religious officers from the Islamic Dakwah Centre.

The ceremony concluded with the Zikir Marhaban as the new convert was sprinkled with the bunga rampai by friends, relatives and guests.

The Brunei Times