When an indigenous British man opened up a shop in Cardiff, UK, it was more than just a business idea. It was to create a platform for people of different faiths and backgrounds to get in and chat without any kind of prejudice, so as to encourage harmony.

But he got more than he bargained for. He faced open hostility from people, some spitting at his shop, others banging on the windows.

Abdur Rahman, now a Muslim and earlier known as Denis, lives in a city where Islam is not that favored. However, with his new faith, he took up the courage to take that extra step to open up an Islamic shop that could engage people of various backgrounds in a dialogue about their beliefs.

Denis was not always a Muslim. “If somebody had told me earlier to embrace Islam, I would have laughed at the idea,” he says.

Otherwise camera shy, Abdul Rahman can be seen arranging item in his shop called ‘The Essence of Islam’. – Photo by Glory Mushinge

Serene Cardiff resident now tend to accept foreign immigrants and faiths with lesser resistance than ever before. – Photo by Glory Mushinge

Abdul Rahman deals with a customer in his corner shop, where curiosity and business fuse together to generate greater understanding of the other. – Photo by Glory Mushinge

Resident stroll a street in Cadiff city, the largest and most populous county of Wales. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre. – Photo by Glory Mushinge

Otherwise camera shy, Abdul Rahman can be seen arranging item in his shop called ‘The Essence of Islam’. – Photo by Glory Mushinge

Serene Cardiff resident now tend to accept foreign immigrants and faiths with lesser resistance than ever before. – Photo by Glory Mushinge

Abdul Rahman deals with a customer in his corner shop, where curiosity and business fuse together to generate greater understanding of the other. – Photo by Glory Mushinge

Resident stroll a street in Cadiff city, the largest and most populous county of Wales. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre. – Photo by Glory Mushinge

About seven years ago, the world around him seemed to be collapsing. He had gone through divorce and his dad had just been diagnosed with cancer.

“I was in a really bad place. I would have a whole bottle of Jack Daniels easily,” Rahman recalls the times he was known as Denis.

While walking in the market, he entered a shop called ‘Serenity’. He showered the Muslim owner and proprietor of the shop with question about Islam. Denis left the shop that day with books which convinced him to “try out Islam”.

He discovered a new face of the British society. Rahman experienced discrimination from his loved ones and friends, shunning and poking fun at him.

“I lost all my family and friends in this country,” Rahman explains. He was facing all kinds of stigmatization he had read about in newspapers or seen Muslims complaining on TV.

Share this page