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Tony Blair's sister-in-law converts to Islam
Lauren Booth has given up alcohol and pork, prays 5 times a day and has not ruled out wearing a burqa in the future.
Lauren Booth holding the VIP Palestinian passport she received during her stay in the Gaza Strip along with other pro-Palestinian activists. PHOTO: AFP
LONDON: The sister-in-law of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has converted to Islam following a visit to Iran, claiming she is a “proud member” of the Muslim community.
Lauren Booth has given up alcohol and pork, prays five times a day and has not ruled out wearing a burqa in the future, she told The Mail on Sunday newspaper.
The 43-year-old journalist and reality television contestant underwent the religious conversion on her return to Britain following a visit to the holy Iranian city of Qom six weeks ago. She said that when she was in Iran, “I sat down and felt this shot of spiritual morphine, just absolute bliss and joy.”
Speaking to the newspaper after a multi-faith Global Peace and Unity Event in London on Saturday, Booth said: “What I wanted to share with you today is that I am Lauren Booth and I am a Muslim. “I always felt that the Ummah (Muslim community) is a very loving, peaceful place and I am proud to be a member of it.”
Booth, who works for the English language Iranian news channel Press TV, has frequently criticised her brother-in-law, accusing the former leader of being biased towards Israel and the United States in his role as Middle East peace envoy. She wrote a scathing open letter in last month’s far-left newspaper Morning Star.
“Personally I’ve never understood this fear of ‘political Islam’,” she wrote. “It seems to me that religious people should always be educated on world events rather than kept in ignorance. Like, say, Midwest Christian Zionists in the US.”
After attending a rally in Iran to mourn Palestinian deaths in cities including Rafah and Nablus, Booth wrote: “Do you recognise these place names, Tony? “As Middle East envoy, you really should. Israel has massacred children in all of these cities. Didn’t you know?” She was refused entry to Israel and Egypt after travelling from Cyprus to Gaza on an activist ship which was protesting the blockade of Palestinian territory.
Religious enlightenment is not unknown in the family with brother-in-law Tony converting to Catholicism in December 2007. Booth is the half-sister of Blair’s wife Cherie, who is a human rights lawyer.
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One can find this news story on every channel/newspaper/online news portal. The only difference here is the editor decided to omit the actual place in Iran where she visited and got inspired. The place was Roza (mazaar) of Hazrat Masooma Bibi of Qom – The respected sister of Hazrat Imam Reza (AS) of Mashad. Recommend
Islam Religion of Peace and Truth……Recommend
well com in islam dear sister
isalam ia the best in the world Recommend
MASHAH ALLAH -WA- SUBHAN ALLAH
I well come you sister to Islam. Pray for u Recommend
wellcome to islam may allah bless you with all the happiness of this life and the life after……Recommend
• Lauren Booth; Tony Blair’s Sister-in-law Accepted ISLAM after Visiting the Holy Shrine of Bibi Syeda Fatima Masooma’e Qum (s.a), in Iran.Recommend
Welcome to the best religion in the worldRecommend
I see a lot of adverse reaction, sadly on the Western front. The West being advocate of pro-choice should gracefully accept the reality of choice. It is not the defeat of one religion. I, being a Muslim, consider Jesus a prophet of God and accept Christian as the follower of book of God. So where is the problem ?Recommend
I pray to Allah to guide her to correct IslaamRecommend
I hope she is not riding the high horse of publicity. Recommend
Amazing, MashAllah.Recommend
Mashallah. Welcome to the Divine religion sister . May Allah bless youRecommend
Well come sister,, u will find ur heart satisfaction in true and only true islam.Recommend
@IMRAN KHAN “I pray to Allah to guide her to correct Islaam”
Now that she has converted to Islam, Mr. Khan wants her to be guided to the correct Islaam. Please enlighten us Mr. Khan about the difference between Islam and correct Islaam and what makes you believe so.Recommend
Salam to u sister and above all well come to religion of onenessRecommend
MasAallah Sister. Stay safe. Recommend
There is indeed a lot of dis-satisfaction amongst the western population especially as their economic conditions get worse and they are seeking new spiritualism and Islam offers a truly monotheistic path and simple down to earth religion with a message of PEACE and BROTHERHOOD/SISTERHOOD. Her journey to the Shrine of Hazrat Masoumeh, sister of Imam Reza must have been a very moving experience. Iranian clergy itself is very sophisticated and educated in explaining the enlightened version of real Islam. Iran’s progress and strong Islamic roots blended in with a 6000 year old culture are also very appealing to westerners. Anyway, good for her and welcome to Islam.Recommend
I wonder if she becomes a shia or a sunni. Being shia, she can survive well in Iran, India and other countries except AfPak and may be Saudi Arabia. Being a Sunni, she can survive well in Saudi, India and any other world except Pakistan. Same being with a Sufi. Recommend
No doubt, when light comes, the darkness disappears. You have chosen the right path, May God bestow you true comitment.Recommend
Dont know if she became shia or sunni the only thing is she became a MUSLIM. Welsome to the new world…Recommend
What a loser.. seems like one of those low self esteem people who are drenching in white guilt. What I love is all these comments full of false sense of accomplishment thinking they’ve achieved something great…. Recommend
We welcome her with a great delight and hope she brings an effective change in other muslims and non muslims as well. May Allah keep our thinking always optimistic and peaceful.Recommend
I just would like to add my opinion for GIRI’s comment.
As being a Muslim its really great news taht Booth converted Islam, no matter either she is sunni or shia, because shia Suni are just sect and part of the Islam they all are Muslims. And whereever she will stay, i must say she will be safe and nobody stop her to perform her prayers either in shia way or sunni. The matter is she is Muslim now and thats the spirit that she got Allah’s Hidayat tahts it.
In last, i request you all who gave their precious comments here, please welcome her in our Great Religion and dont misguide her.
Welcome Ms. Booth in our beloved Religion Islam. Recommend
MashaALLAH!
you will get a fruitful results in the shape of good life in world. INSHAALLAH…..
May ALLAH give you long and prosper life.
Regards,
Rizwan Khan Khattak
PAKISTANRecommend
MashAllah, May Almighty Allah Bless you with all His Blessings-AmeenRecommend
Ummm… yes she has converted to Islam… So how does that make our issues with suicide bombing, sectarian warfare, corruption, nepotism, self delusion, worst global reputation, economic meltdown and worst social problems solved. Sounds like the “SISTER” is being welcomed as she might bring salvation to all our problems !
I will throw a controversial question out there to all the welcome-rs of the ‘sister’
What would be your reaction if one of say our female muslim member of parliament converts to Christianity..? Would the same posters welcoming her to the greatest religion still be mature enough to choose her religion or would they be baying for blood and wanting her to be killed and hung upside down for being an apostate..?
So much for the nation of pure… sentimental, delusional and devoid of any reality.Recommend
she has not ruled out to wear a burqa in future. I wonder how could she not get it from Hazrat Masooma (AS)? Anyways as a muslim no one has a right to tell what does she has in her heart and by all muslims is welcommed to the religion. Islam does not require people accepting it, but it is well established in its own place….Recommend
Good, God bless her and keep constant her on this right way and pray that more and more non-Muslim entered into Islam (Ameen) .But being a Muslim our record is not good but full of bads. Recommend
Haha Haris Chaudry well said… all of a sudden its welcoming and ‘Sister’ but just the other day a man was given the Death Sentence in our high court for Blasphemy law, so much for the religion of peace that can’t tolerate anyone different than usRecommend
welcome to the Islamic fold,i hope you not only remain with us but try to remove the misunderstandings between islam,christianity and judoism.These are the only heavenly relgions which respects other religions too.Recommend
I pray to God to guide all my above bros n sisters who are talking about the sects not Islam !!!!……Allah Almighty has already guided Lauren Booth to the right path – Islam!! she might have studied religions and sects………….Recommend
Allaho Akbar, Allaho Akbar, Allaho Akbar
MashaAllah
May Allah show right way to all human… AmeeenRecommend
Welcome!Recommend
nice! We have a mole in white house and now in 10 downing street!Recommend
Welcome to be a members of Islamic Family, you know that Islam is the religon of peace and properity and love with humanity. So all the muslim community welcom you for to embrace islam…………..Recommend
Islam and all Muslims welcome you.Islam peace for humanity.Recommend
Dear Sister,
I am indeed happy to hear this news.Recommend
It has earliers said by Allama Dr. Muhammad Iqbal
If Theran will be Geneva for Oriental countries, fate of the nations can be better.Recommend
is she shia,sunni,wahabi,qadyani,koranonly,..,..,……. ? :-)Recommend
she accepted Shiaism, not Islam. The two are contrary to each other.Recommend
Shias are Muslims. A person who says he is a Muslim is a Muslim. Only God can judge who is Muslim and who is not. Recommend
@Pakistan One,
I am sure that unless she becomes a follower of the narrowest strain of whatever you believe in she would not be a “real” Muslim. So this one is for you: Yawn! :)Recommend
@Haris Chaudhry Well said.
@Pakistan One Shamefull comment…………Recommend
What about the thousands who are leaving Islam ?Recommend
Come to think of it, how many of those “noble” posters welcoming “sister” in our fold really care if say, one of the christians masi/ bhangee (maid/ janitor) converted to Islam. I bet my bottom dollar, that she wouldnt be remotely welcomed with that fanfare or might even be looked down at for attempting to convert to such a pure religion and a “bhangee”.
Where are all these comrades and there welcoming enthusiasm when “sisters” of this nation get burnt, raped, buried alived, sexually harassed and discriminated against ?
Are we reserving the welcomes only because it soothes our very very hurt and broken egos as we are labelled as one of the worst countries for law and order, economic progress, racial harmony, social progress and carry the sullen reputation of being a terror exporter globally..? All these welcomes are nothing but empty rhetoric in my opinion as we believe that somehow Cherrie Blair’s sister’s conversion to Islam proves all the western civilization wrong and gives us some ego-boost.
She has chosen Shia Islam by the looks of it. I will wait until the ‘brothers’ from TTP, Hizb Tehreer, Al Qaeda, Sipah Jhegvi and their ilk issue fatwas against her for choosing the “wrong” version of Islam…. In this land, we are more concerned about Sunnis, Shias, Barelvis, Deobandis, Wahabis, Ahle Sunna, Mohajirs, Punjabi, Pathan, Baloch, Memon, Gujjar, Jaat, Rajput, Jatoi and Magsi…. So much for all the accolades about welcoming her to the fold..
Long rant but I just cant fathom the duplicity of this super-active religious right that says all the right things or things that make them appear as the purest of the pure but is busy being corrupt to the core and the evidence of that duplicity and personal corruption is well found in all parts of this nation.
I ask this question again.. What would be the reaction of this welcoming brigade, if one of our female Parliamentarians or a well known actor converted from Islam to Christianity..? We will be chasing her to the gallows and disown her and will announce to the world that she did that because she is deranged, deviant and is under western influence, however when a non muslim converts to Islam, we regard that as the power and appeal of the religion Islam…
Its sickening just the way we Pakistanis go about conducting ourselves in general and our religious affairs in particular, A land of hypocrites.
HarisRecommend
Hello all these welcomers,
Can you say the same with open heart to million of AHMADI living in Pakistan. You people are so hypocrite. Person can not be trusted who convert. If she was not good christian & can convert to Islam then how you can trust her she will not convert again.
Booth, who works for the English language Iranian news channel Press TV,
The 43-year-old journalist and reality television contestant underwent the religious conversion on her return to Britain following a visit to the holy Iranian city of Qom six weeks ago.
She was in Iran. It might her ploy to enter into Iran’s elite.
How she become your sister bcz she is sister in law of EX PM of UK who does not live at 10 downing st. anymore.
Does any one of you take care of any poor girl in your neighborhood and call her sister.
there is so many women take abouses everyday & no one shed a tear.
Now let me tell you secrret. One of my nephew married with (born muslim) girl. She is pretty and good by heart. They Love each other. We bless them. But point is we never ask her to convert. She can do her prayer whatever way she want. she go to Sikh temple. Celebrate Eid & Diwali with same joy. It will be too bad if she stop celebrating Eid (as she had enjoyed it since she was born). As family member we don’t have any right to snatch a happy moment from our kid.
You guys are expressing like some thing you have done. It was booth choice, not your.
Think first then comment.Recommend
I’m very hopeful after seeing this news and mine family too,she is save her own future and save life who comes after the death.”i play to all”Smile is sign of successRecommend
Yeah one lady has been saved.Recommend
Haris Chaudhry
so we should ask her “get out”?
to all “get out brigade”… as they are welcoming her and calling her “sister”, so simple for an “oposite action” reaction will be “oposite”. there is no need of so much large comments :)Recommend
Singh
do not gernalize the issue with few individual actions. what ever ajmal kesab did, most of the Pakistanis does not suport that.. but what indian media or india govt blame … the blame “Pakistan” not individuals.
Religion does not deal with single person action. A global religion have Global rules.
When some one become the member of”Global family of Muslim” certainly we will welcome her.. now like you respect your nephew wife, but certainly she was not enjoying that respect before the marrage.. nor you will respect him like this when she will left your nephew…. its just an example. i am not praying that she should left your nephew :)Recommend
She is a true reflection of the book written some times back “Then I was Guided”. Probably, she chose the most respectable sect of all.Recommend
Mashallah!
Welcome Sister to the religion of peace and love.Recommend
Good News,
but what ?
A person changes her faith, and embraces a new one ! So whats the big deal ???
There are much more important issues to be dealt with !Recommend
95% converts convert back to their previous religion. Give her time and she will become a christian again.Recommend
Reminds me of book written some years back ‘Then I was Guided’Recommend
As salaam o al kum:)
congratulation to you that ALLAH is most merciful that show mercy upon you so that y u accept Islam.
SUBAN ALLAH……………………! Recommend
I truly pray for sister Lauren Booth may Allah make her path of truth easy and comfortable.
Ms. Lauren embracing of Islam is an other indication that the truth make his own way no matter how many hurdle placed in the path. May Allah Show us the Straight way. The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace Those w…hose (portion) is not wrath and who go not astray.
Muhammed UmerRecommend
I think, it is a good change towards Islam. Islam is a peaceful religion not reluctant. So, May Allah dominanate Islam over Kuffar.(Ameen)Recommend
welcome.Recommend
@liaqat Ali
One thing everyone will agree to is that Sunnism and Shiaism and all their off shoots came into being after the prefection of the religion. So the religion was completed during the life time of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and anything that follows is just innovation whether anyone likes it or not, admits it or not. Just because somebody says that the Sun rises from West will not make the Sun rise from West. We all know it rises from the East. Recommend
As far as I remember and recall people embrace Islam in mosques, not mausoleums. Perhaps another innovation.Recommend
Allah Bless You Ever…………Recommend
May ALLAH guide to the right partRecommend
I welcome sister Lauren Booth in my Muslim community and feel proud of her daring
step.She will now feel herself fully in peace and work for furtherance of her religion Islam.Recommend
I welcome sister Lauren Booth in my Muslim community and feel proud that she took this daring step and accepted Islam.She will now feel fully satisfied and in peace insha Allah and will prove a source of strength for the Muslim Ummah as a whole and for Muslim community in U.K in particular.I wish her success in her new mission of peace.May Allah bless her with every success in her peaceful efforts for her mission. Recommend
I guess misery loves company!Recommend
What is Islams Sentence for Apostasy? Are we going to help Hector Aleem who is in trial for Blasphemy law in Pakistan Jails right now?Recommend
i welcome yu greatly from the bottom of my heart. now yu r safe forever. and yu will enjoy a life full of peace in this world and after this temporary world life yu will be give great award from almighty Allah.yu r the luckiest woman to convert to islam all urs previous sins r now forgiven and if yu die yu will go to paradise straight and yu will live there forever.
congrugaltion for this great succes my sister.
i pray that all non muslims become muslims and can save themselves from the fire of hell where they will b forever if they die non muslim.Recommend
The reverts are bolder, more courageous than us lot and have the ability to approach world politics and criticism on Islam with a clear and focused mind, because they are neither diplomatic in their conversations or hesitant about their views. Welcome to the club of the faithful Lauren Booth.Recommend
she is shia muslim now
@ imran khan wt u mean ab8 correct islam…i can prove with da help of quran majeed nd sunni books i.e saha sita that shia islam z rite oslam Recommend
it is not the matter of wether she is shia or sunni but according to holy Quran every person is in lost except. here is the translation of the veruses of holy quran http://quran.com/103. which kind of people are successful.Recommend
Since converting to shiaism, she has not touched alcohol for 45 days, whereas she drank almost every day. As any expert in behavioral medicine will tell u, after 3 months, majority of alcoholics go back to drinking.
So i suggest wait at least 45 days before going gaga over the conversion! One thing is for sure…she will be searched at the London airport every time! Remember princess di when she started going around with a muslim?Recommend
Whole of the world hate Muslims but we have love for them in our hearts..Nobody have the right to comment on religion..Recommend
allaha kareemRecommend
Fine BUT when are the proclaimed Muslims going to accept ISLAM?????Recommend
MUSLIM claimants will do a great service to ISLAM in case they become MUSLIMS!!! Recommend
wellcom. islam is a religion of peace it provides that mental peace and satisfaction which no other religion providesRecommend
Welcome to Islam …!!!!! Recommend
@ singh
why we say the same welcome to ahmadis because this is very clear that ahmadis is not a muslim.they are non muslims . i think u guy r think first then written.the point is very simple that wen some one convert to islam we will welcome *pakistan zindabad *
singh u prove that a common sence is that sence which is not common.Recommend
Well Well she is a Muslim. But then her father was always on Comedy shows on English Television.
Like Father like daughter. I always enjoyed a good laugh.Recommend
Many British career women converting to Islam:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1324039/Like-Lauren-Booth-ARE-modern-British-career-women-converting-Islam.htmlRecommend
What about those who are LEAVING Islam.Recommend
sister we all the r proud of u…
and we all welcom u to true n pure riligion of ALLAH ALMIGHTY!!!!
my advice to u is that never get in in sects n casts just believe that u r a muslim, muslim and a muslim.
may ALLAH give u strength to face all the troubles that come in ur life
CONGRULATIONS ON FINDING LIGHT OF THIS UNIVERSEALLAH HAFIZ
ur brother
Recommend
Welcome to the peaceful religion of Islam…in the end the this true religion will prevail,.Recommend
Inshalla the whole britain will accept the islam and the peace be upon himRecommend
This is an open and crystal-clear sign of the truth of Islam…this is purely a religion of peace, love and justice.Tony Blair and his masters always portray Islam as a community of terrorist. He must now open his eyes.
Kaa;bay ko paasbaan mil gay sanam khanay sayRecommend
we shouldnt make it a big issue or give it a hype , its her personal matter , she were born a christian an now after her experiences n study she has decided to convert to Islam. so purely her own individual matter. one shouldnt feel good about it or feel proud, coz none of us has done that, so people who treated her over there and they provided her such an environment n actually delivered her the true soul of islamic teachings deserve all the appreciation n offcourse she were at the Roza of Bibi Masooma Qum, so one would defo get mesmerized once enter the Roza, she were looking for some spiritual thing which she found there and that clicked her…so lets hope if she stays on it..or may be u ll hear it again that she neva converted or got carried away or something else…so leave it to her, look into your own lives, what you guys are doing it make others get inspired by you…thanks. Recommend
Very much a personal matter. What is important, Has she become a better human being ? Recommend
I am so very much happy to learn that MS Booth has converted to the true religion of Islam. I wish and pray to Allah that others should also follow her, because Islam is the only pure religion and its followers are the blessed ones. May Allah guide you to follow the true spirits of our religion. Amin! Recommend
Salam
i welcome sister, and want to share this that in her interview booth said that a Lady of the age of 22 or some thing full of light came towards me n said me these words that now you are in peace and i believe it was none other than Bibi Fatima Masooma-e-Qom .sa. Who should booth the right path. share it with your friendsRecommend
She become Muslim is enough. All those who are creating sectarian differences among Muslim are enemies of Islam themselves. I pray that we all find the truth and continue it.Recommend
Salam to my dear sister and saying most Well come to the relegion which is UNIQUE in the world .And praying for you to spend ur time with happyness and joy .
May ALLAH SUBHANHU WATAALLAH Bliss U.Recommend
MasaALLAH. for more information http://www.harunyahya.com Recommend
I think the reason she converted was the fact that she works for Press TV. it will surely boost her prospects :dRecommend
welcome to the religion of peace, prosperity n truth “ISLAM”. May Allah guide us to live like true muslims n bless us. (Aameen)Recommend
great….Recommend
Dont forget that she has worked for Iranian Regime, for presstv!
so what a good idea to be just like them!!!Recommend
Mr Singh how can u say Hypocrite to Muslims they r peace keeper and loving and keep in ur mind that you people has made muslims Terrorist only blaming them and keep in your mind that ur Guru Nanak also visited Holy places of
Muslims. i am proud to be Muslim.Recommend
@ Haris Chaudhry
Very well said! One look at the HRCP annual report and the real faces of the joyous welcome rs are disclosed. Recommend