New to Islam Ladies Support Circle

Although living now in Perth, Sia was born and raised on Sydney’s North Shore. She comes from a traditional Greek family who really struggled in accepting her conversion.

After converting to Islam at 19, Sia was introduced to the New Muslim Program at ISRA, and it was there that she found her first Muslim friend, which now she considers to be family.

She is currently undertaking traditional studies in Islam with the hopes of using traditional qualifications to make Islamic knowledge more accessible for reverts.

Sia enjoys travelling, reading and loves spending her time at the beach!

Lisa was born and raised in Newcastle to Aussie parents. After finishing school Lisa did a lot of overseas travelling and whilst living and working in Los Angeles she met her Tunisian husband, who introduced her to Islam.

In 2013 Lisa and her family moved from Newcastle to Sydney. This is where Lisa first felt the beauty of sisterhood in Islam after meeting lovely Muslim women at various groups and classes, as well as other reverts who understood the dynamics and challenges of being a revert.

Lisa loves travelling and learning about other cultures, socialising with friends and spending time outdoors with her family.

Lisa’s fun loving, caring nature and contagious laugh is always a warm welcome.

Teresa was born and raised in Newcastle, with parents being from Abruzzo, Italy. From a very young age Teresa found herself drawn to faith, and began walking to church alone and attending regularly.

Returning to her faith a little later as a single mother raising her 3 children Teresa completed bible college, spoke at ladies events, managed a church cafe, played in the band and was part of a street outreach team.

Teresa later met her husband in France who introduced her to Islam.  It was moving from Newcastle to Sydney and attending ISRA courses where she discovered a much deeper and meaningful knowledge of Islam, as well as beautiful friendships.

Teresa is now a mother of 4 and a grandmother of 3. Teresa’s passion is serving the community, volunteering and helping others. Teresa loves to spend time with her family, enjoys cooking, gardening and good coffee!

Diana was born and raised in Bosnia and Herzegovina. From 1993 she travelled between Sarajevo and Sydney, finally settling down in Sydney with her family in 2006.

Diana has always been Muslim, but didn’t practice the religion until she was in her forties. In 2012 Diana found ISRA and it became her “second” home. There she gained true knowledge about Islam, and discovered what “sisterhood in Islam” really means.

Diana is a wife, mother of two sons, mother in-law, and grandmother of two. She likes to study, especially about Islam and also likes volunteering. She was a teacher in a Bosnian Ethnic  School, Islamic Scripture teacher at Stanmore Public School, and now volunteers at ISRA. In her spare time Diana’s role is to be “the best grandmother” in the world.

Alessandra, or as she’s more commonly known: Aless, was born into an Italian and Scottish family as Catholic. After not feeling connection to God growing up she found that first connection she had when she walked into a mosque became a Muslim… on the spot! After she converted over 13 years ago, it took her family a while to understand her decision as religion is big part of Italian culture. However, with time and patience her family are all accepting now. Aless is currently studying her Bachelor of Islamic Studies and more thank anything, would like to achieve God’s love and blessings through it. Aless enjoys studying and anything related to history. She is also an avid book collector!