HomeIslamicManuela Franco Barbato – The Daughter of Ex-Italian MP Converts to Islam
Manuela Franco Barbato – The Daughter of Ex-Italian MP Converts to Islam
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The daughter of a former Italian member of parliament has converted to Islam and changed her name to Aysha. Manuela Franco Barbato, now a pious Muslim now prefers to be addressed as Aysha. The Manuela decision has sparked uproar across Italy reported to Huffington Post. Manuela changed her Facebook profile picture by wearing a hijab.
She was studying at L’Orientale University of Naples, feeling so proud of the purity of her soul. She said the hijab is my way, the way that Allah has chosen for me. Indeed this is the divine law, who am I to object?
I strongly believe, every human is free to select a religion after growing up, and can give up their parent’s religion. I wasn’t satisfied with my religion, because it does not touch my heart. Islam is such a powerful religion giving full rights to women even. I am very much satisfied with the decision because Islam gives me hidden power and inner peace as well. When I offer five-time prayers, I can’t express the satisfaction I got in words. My life is in the right direction now, and I’m on the right path now.
Italy has a more than 1.7 million population and Islam is getting popularity among people, as 20,000 had recently converted to Islam. Before declaring it publicly Aysha lived with her father back at their family home in Naples.
Her father Franco Barbato is not happy with his daughter’s decision and highly criticized her. I live this conversion very badly because it is a religion too harsh, too radical, and too rigid. I think it is a fundamentalist religion. That’s fanaticism and this is the agony I feel for his choice of life.