Asalamualikum: mission statement and ground rules

Salam U Alikum Brothers and Sisters,

I created this blog a week ago, however this is my first post as I have been trying to formulate exactly what I wish to express here, therefore, please look upon this as a kind of a 'mission statement'.

I came into the Faith of Islam recently, and being a Western woman from a Christian background, I have been asked by numerous people why and how this happened. In addition, I am still discovering many things about my faith and how people from different cultures approach it, from the minutiae to the big issues. I'm doing my best to weed out what things are truly attached to Islam and what are the behaviours and habits borne out of traditions, cultural influence etc.

I intend this blog to be a kind of a window into my journey of discovery: What my thought processes are, what large and small issues I have and will tackle, what my experiences are both within and without the Muslim sphere and how I approach life the relationships in my life on the basis of my faith. Inshallah, It is my hope that this journey will be useful for the following groups:

1) Other new Muslims or those considering conversion who will find some comfort in finding that in their own questions/struggles etc. they are not alone... there are many common difficulties we will share!

2) 'Born' Muslims: Those who have always known the faith and lived within it: I pray this will give you a window to the unique issues New Muslims face: outside of the obvious social issues with family/friends, an example I can give you is the subtle frustration of having to break fast during Ramadan alone because you have no family to do so with...

3) Westerners who have no experience (friends) with Islam and whose views on the faith may perhaps be skewed due to the media/friends/family having negative opinions about the faith... perhaps you will find some truth in my musings to give you another perspective

I endeavour to make this a mixture of blogging on certain topics or on experiences from a particular day.

I encourage you to ask questions, but will ignore any hate or fanboi or taunting messages. Please be considerate in your questions: take the time to phrase them accurately. If the subject you ask me about is one on which I believe I have insufficient knowledge, I will forward you to someone with better authority on that particular matter.

Any feedback that is disrespectful, hateful etc. will be deleted. My blog, my rules. You 'freedom of speech' doesn't extend to my personal internet space. If you want to go be an Idiot, go find a street-corner. :-D

And please, my brothers and sisters, I ask you to please correct me if I have made an incorrect reference, or can improve the reference by some quote or link that will help elucidate the point I am trying to make.

May Allah, our God, be with you and give you peace in your heart and happiness in your life.

God Bless,
Wasalam U Alikum.