h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

And it is, and it seems crazy much of the time. Cat/Yusuf (is it obligatory to change your name if you covert to Islam?) was one of the musicians i listened to a lot as a confused teenager, now i'm a confused middle-ager, i still love his stuff.

Great entry, Lil.

zdt

Thanks Terri


I'm not sure if it is obligatory to change the name to go with the religion.

I'm sure there are plenty of researchers who could let us know the answer

I don't know if a name change is obligatory, as it is for catholic nuns, monks etc., but I know that there are names that are just not easy to peronounce for an Arabic/Afghan etc tongue, so wesetrn-named friends/family members are given a more common name. This can be random, or have a meaning, like e.g. 'Homeira', which means 'rosy/red cheeks' for a girl with a healthy face colour.

The little reading that I have found, a name change is mandatory for a few tiny and closed 'chapters' of Islam. But on the whole, many do change their names as a personal acknoweldgement of their change of ways and perspectives. Not because the 'church' or religion demands it.

Bel, I had a look last night. I thought it might be a 'rite of passage' thing. That doesn't necessarily seem the case.

For the entry A22691559, I was the verificateur of the Qu'ran, and the source of the 'time line' that is the tail end of it. Having read their good book, there is no necessity to change or take names. It would only be what-ever current flavours and twists might apply to 'rules'.

Leaving this thread, having spake ...

No, my sister's been called Homeira by her husband's family - her Nordic nmae would be quasi unpronounceable for her family. A friend is called 'Hamid', which may well be the islamic equivalent of his christian name.

The Arabic language doesn't really have vowels as such, it's very phonetic & also regional; so "Hamid" in one place might be "Hamad/Hameed" etc in another. It's a fascinating language & unlike some others (such as French!!!!) is pretty logical; ie: M,K,T,B = will mean something to do with reading, but pronunciation of vowels in between is down to the region & maybe even the individual.

However, that's "Modern" Arabic, whereas all Muslims also read Classical Arabic from the Qu'ran; but i would imagine that's the equivalent of Biblical English; we don't tend to use "thee, thou, begat" etc in day to day language, yet Biblical names are very popular.

zdt

Thanks for the information Terri!