THE MIRACULOUS STORY OF A MUSLIM WOMAN’S ENCOUNTER WITH GOD
In this 170-paged book, Bilquis Sheikh
shares her testimony of conversion from Islam to Christianity.
Propelled by a futile search for assurance and comfort on the pages of the Koran, Bilquis resorted to searching the pages of the Bible. This was done in a bid to learn more about Jesus Christ, a prophet described by her Koran as being born of a virgin.
Perusing through the pages of the Bible raised more questions and birthed a series of dreams, which further fuelled her hunger for scripture.
In a bid to find answers, she established contact with a Christian community in her neighborhood. This action was a major indicator of her drift away from Islam
and association with Christianity.
She submitted to the mentorship of the Mitchells and later the Olds, missionaries who led the Christian community to which she now belonged. This offered her careful guidance into the basics of the Christian faith, highlighting the place of mentorship and fellowship in the growth of one’s faith.
The community exemplified the love of Christ, disregarding religious sentiments and embracing people like Bilquis with the aim of pointing them to Christ.
Daring to call God ‘Father’ opened up an entire horizon of her Christian walk. This experience intensified her commitment to voracious consumption of the scriptures, through which she encountered salvation and baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Her decision to renounce Islam brought about a myriad of events, ranging from outright exclusion from family gatherings and activities, resignation of her domestic servants, threats to harm her, and an actual attempt to raze her house. Through consistent fellowship with God and encouragement from brethren, her faith was able to stand through these tests.
The Bilquis story is one of salvation, faith, and growth stemming from consistent practice of the presence of God, study of the word, and obedience to God’s instructions and intentionality about raising disciples.
Deborah Bassey
