Islam as "The Middle Path"

Abstract

This article describes an observable pattern in Western converts' journey
to Islam. It shows how at an early stage in their life, many
Westerners are disenchanted with their religion, Christianity or
Judaism, and proceed to explore radical alternatives including new age
religion, eastern religions and even various cults. Their search for spiritual
and religious identity is usually not satiated by these alternatives
and so they gradually gravitate toward Islam. The author argues that in
Islam these converts find reason, order, meaning, and a contemporary
relevance that is missing in western as well as eastern religions. It is the
opportunity to traverse the "Middle Path," familiar yet new, similar yet
different, which the author suggests may well be the reason why these
"seekers" eventually find whatever they are looking for in Islam.