The 29-year-old Indian, Gortek Bahati, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in physical education from the Toronto University, Canada, by presence at the Non-Iranian Pilgrims Office of Astan Quds Razavi, while declaring his faith converted to Islam and chose the Shia religion.
After becoming Muslim, he chose the name Amir Ali for himself and expressing his motivation for becoming Muslim, stated, “My biggest attraction to Islam was the Holy Qur'an and the teachings of this noble book and familiarity with this heavenly Scripture is the most fascinating and most amazing part of my life.”
Stating that by reciting the verses of Qur'an, he feels relaxed and at peace Bahati added, “When I read Qur'an with its translation, I am greatly fascinated and by thinking on verses I consider it a true guide for my life.”
“Veil and the kind of Islamic view of women was also another reason for my tendency toward Islam, that in this religion there is no instrumental view of women, and despite the presence of women in the social arena, their dignity is remained reserved. It was very interesting to me” he expressed.
The young newly-Muslim, while expressing his satisfaction with attending the Razavi Illuminated Court said, “There is elegant architecture and a spiritual atmosphere is in this sacred place which absorbs every visitor.”
At the end of the ceremony, in addition to conversion certificate, gifts such as a volume of Qur’an, the book of the story of the converted, how to pray and introducing Imam Reza (A.S.) in English were bestowed to the newly-Muslim.