Like Fasting Together, Marcel Siahaan Decides To Convert To Islam

Marcell Siahaan (Photo: IG @marcellsiahaans)

JAKARTA - Marcell Siahaan firmly decided to embrace Islam. As a convert, his spiritual journey is not an easy one. Marcell admitted that he had time to change religions.

"I'm comfortable, I'm happy, I'm sure that everything has a point. That's all. And I feel like I can do many things. Making myself something useful for many people. So it's not just a spiritual achievement for me, but an external spiritual achievement", said Marcell quoted from the Daniel Mananta Network YouTube channel, Thursday, April 1.

Before deciding to embrace a religion, Marcell always studied deeply. "I study Islam. I like this, why is it like this, why is it like this. Because why? I don't want to be afraid of something I don't understand", said Marcell.

The experience of growing up in a multi-religious family also gave him a deeply spiritual experience. "So back then when I was a child, when I was that agnostic. On TVRI there were several events, the pulpit for Islam, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and the belief in One Godhead. There were five programs on TVRI", he said.

"Well, I was a fan of that show. I watched it all. Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran is one of my favorite shows. It's a recitation competition with a beautiful voice. I really like it. I also love the Buddhist pulpit. One of the speakers is my teacher, it was him who baptized me to become a Buddhist", he explained.

"So I used to have someone close by, so the child who was adopted was my grandfather. He was the one who tormented my grandfather when he died. So when he prayed, I see, I sat beside him. I followed. That was my agnostic era, that's what I was. I'll do it first. I also see my aunt who has a different religion", he explained.

Marcell then told how the role of his wife, Rima Melati Adams, made him determined to become a Muslim.

"Then I got the opportunity to meet lots of friends, lots of people. I met Rima, she showed me how to worship and she is Muslim. And I'm very comfortable. Eating together, breaking fast together, even though I'm not a Muslim", he said. That is what makes Marcell Siahaan steady as a convert.