Birmingham Student's Transformative Journey to Islam
Liyana Jones, a 22-year-old resident of Hall Green, has opened up about her remarkable spiritual journey from growing up in a Catholic environment to embracing Islam in 2024. Her story highlights the profound personal transformation that began when she moved to Birmingham to study at the University of Birmingham in September 2021.
From Curiosity to Commitment
Until relocating from Hertfordshire, Liyana had limited exposure to Islam and few Muslim acquaintances. Her move to Birmingham ignited a deep curiosity that ultimately led her to convert shortly after graduating in 2024. She described her initial exploration as beginning with mere curiosity that evolved into a life-changing experience within just one year.
"I started to tell people around me that I was really looking into Islam and thinking about reverting," Liyana explained regarding Ramadan 2025. "People bought me my English translation of the Quran and started to take me to things."
The Birmingham Community's Welcoming Embrace
The young woman emphasized how the Birmingham Muslim community provided crucial support during her spiritual exploration. "In the past, I'd always wanted to fast in Ramadan, but I'd always felt like I can't because I'm not Muslim," she reflected. "I just wish I did give it a go."
During Ramadan 2025, Liyana experienced her first fast while simultaneously reading the Quran daily and learning Islamic prayers. This period of intense exploration culminated in her first visit to a mosque for Eid Salah prayers, marking a significant milestone in her journey.
An Emotional Turning Point in Albania
Liyana's spiritual quest extended beyond Birmingham when she traveled to Albania, where a particularly emotional encounter solidified her decision. While visiting an Islamic shop, she struggled with wearing the hijab properly until a shop assistant patiently demonstrated the technique.
"She sat me down in front of the mirror and she really slowly put it on and showed me where I can pin it," Liyana recalled. "After she was done, we both just cried and cried and it was so emotional."
This experience, combined with the welcoming reception she received throughout Albania, convinced Liyana it was time to formally embrace Islam through the Shahada declaration upon returning home.
Finding Peace Through Faith
In May 2025, Liyana officially took her Shahada and has since completed reading the Quran for the first time. Reflecting on nearly a full year since her conversion, she described a profound internal transformation.
"I feel at peace with myself," she shared, noting her shift from being "quite a negative person" to someone who now "sees the positive side of things." Her journey illustrates how spiritual exploration, community support, and personal experiences can converge to create meaningful life changes.
