Between Cultures: Like a Guest at the Masjid

February 1, 2025

By Mel Dean – Canadian revert, small business owner, artist, and writer.

🌟 The Welcome That Wasn’t

When I first entered a masjid in a Muslim country, I expected warmth, sisterhood, and a sense of belonging. But instead, I felt something else—an invisible wall. Everyone was polite. Some smiled. A few asked where I was from. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was only a guest, not truly part of them.

🤐 What Reverts Often Feel But Don’t Say

It’s a silent struggle many converts face.

A 2022 research paper by the Cambridge Muslim College found that many reverts feel like “outsiders” in mosques, even years after converting. Cultural and linguistic barriers contribute heavily to this alienation, with mosques often not addressing the distinct emotional and spiritual needs of new Muslims.

“New Muslims frequently report feeling isolated or judged. Even when welcomed, they struggle to find true inclusion.”
(Source: Cambridge Muslim College, 2022)

The Muslim Vibe also shared heartbreaking accounts where reverts were stared at, excluded from gatherings, or ignored for not “knowing how things are done.”

“You walk into a room full of sisters, and they ask, ‘Where’s your husband from?’ as if that validates your presence.”
(Source: The Muslim Vibe: Revert Realities)

😶 My Experience in the Masjid

The khutbah was in Arabic. The post-prayer chat was in Arabic. I stood in the back, unsure where to sit, how to greet, or what was expected of me.

Even simple things—like standing in the prayer line or handing someone my shoes by mistake—earned me awkward glances. It made me shrink, doubt myself, and sometimes, stay home instead.

👣 Baby Steps Toward Belonging

Finding my tribe: I discovered a small expat halaqah that met weekly for English Qur’an study. We were all foreigners in one way or another—and for the first time, I felt normal.
Learning local customs: I began asking respectful questions—how to enter a room, what to say, what not to say. Sisters appreciated the effort and started explaining things kindly.
Creating bilingual spaces: I suggested to the masjid that we start a “Reverts & Residents” tea circle—a place where locals and converts could meet in English and Arabic to just talk.
Speaking up: I began kindly sharing how I felt. That honesty made many born-Muslims realize they were unintentionally excluding us.

🧠 Why This Matters

Mosques are meant to be the most welcoming places on Earth. Yet many reverts feel lonelier inside them than anywhere else. This is not because of bad intentions—it’s because of cultural habits that don’t include us by default.

And for someone like me—living in a foreign land, far from family, building a business—it’s even harder when the place I go for spiritual recharge feels alienating.

🛠 What We Can Do

Create welcome programs for reverts at the masjid.
Translate khutbah summaries and post them in English.
Host community circles that include reverts, travelers, and expats.
Celebrate Eid together with diverse traditions—showing Islam’s global beauty.

🎥 Watch & Reflect

I highly recommend watching this honest conversation:
“I Don’t Feel Welcome at the Mosque” by The Muslim Vibe
Watch here

It gave me chills—because it put into words everything I had felt but never said aloud.

💬 Final Words

If you’re a revert reading this and avoiding the masjid… I get it. I’ve stood in those shoes, wondering if I belonged.

You do. You always did. Islam is for you—not a culture you need to earn your way into. And if you’re a born-Muslim reading this—please, welcome someone new this week. Smile. Say salaam. Ask them to join you in the post-prayer chat.

You might be the only person who does.

Elevate with Purpose