Born into a devout Hindu family in a small town in Karnataka, India, my spiritual journey began at a young age. I was named Prapulladevi, a name that embodied purity and devotion reflective of the values instilled in me by my family. Growing up, I was surrounded by rituals and practices that deepened my connection to God, particularly through the worship of Lord Ganesha, a Hindu deity I held in high regard.

As I matured, my curiosity about religion and spirituality grew, especially during my time as a freshman medical student at Mysore Medical College. The study of human anatomy and the marvels of the human body instilled in me a sense of awe for the Creator and His intricate design. Alongside my academic pursuits, I delved into practices such as “Sahaja Sthithi Dhyana Yoga – The Art of Living” out of my own curiosity about the art of yogic meditation techniques.

It was during this period ofVAexploration that I encountered individuals from different faith backgrounds who came to attend the course seeking the concept of universal religion, whose perspectives on God and spirituality intrigued me. Our discussions opened my eyes to the diversity of religious beliefs and sparked a curiosity within me to understand more about other religions.

On November 26, 1996, praying for my mother’s health led me to have a serious conversation with my favorite idol, Ganesha, during worship. Exhausted, I fell asleep in my hostel room and awoke to a loud noise. I discovered a wall hanging, unfamiliar to me, with the words “LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS” from the New Testament Bible. I learned that my Christian roommate had nailed it on the wall, and it just fell off to gain my attention I assume. She later urged me to accept Jesus as my Savior and gave me a New Testament Bible to read.

The next day, as I was reading the New Testament for the first time, something within me urged me to focus on a specific page. The passage read, “For we are the temple of the living God! And so the Lord says, ‘You must leave them and separate yourselves from them” (2 Corinthians Chapter 6, Verses 14-18). These words deeply resonated with me, leading me to agree that I should abandon idols and seek God within myself. Perhaps the Bible and Christianity could guide me in this journey.

Two years later, on December 24, 1998, I was eagerly preparing for the Christmas celebration when I came across an article in the Indian Express newspaper titled “To All Ye Faithful” by Abu Abraham. The article discussed a book titled “Jesus the Man” by Australian theologian Barbara Theiring. It mentioned the Dead Sea Scrolls, suggesting that Jesus was born on March 7. The article also touched upon the uncertainty surrounding the date of Christ’s birth, the idea that he was an illegitimate child, and how his opponents called him the ‘Man of a lie.’

For the first time, I found myself deeply confused about the figure of Jesus. If he is indeed God, then why is there so much controversy surrounding his existence?

I began to question if there was more to this story of Jesus that I had yet to discover. This newfound uncertainty left me feeling lost and depressed, yearning for clarity and understanding amidst the swirling confusion.

Unable to find peace and sleep, I found myself in the midst of the night, organizing the scattered books in my room. As I sorted through the chaos, my eyes fell upon the Quarterly Journal Magazine “MINARET,” a publication I had received from a student who had attended an Art of Living advanced meditation course three years prior.

Within its pages, I stumbled upon a fascinating scientific investigation related to Jesus’ crucifixion and his purported death. The article, titled “Shroud of Mystery” by M. Alikoya, was published in December 1997.

Shortly thereafter, my curiosity piqued, and I felt a strong desire to delve deeper into the article and understand the religious beliefs associated with it. Eager to learn more and uncover the origins of the published piece, I promptly penned a letter to the contact address, requesting additional details regarding the intriguing article.

To my astonishment, I received a prompt and honest response after just a couple of months. Not only did I receive the requested information, but I was also pleasantly surprised to receive a posted copy of the article titled “Christianity, a Journey from Facts to Fiction.” Accompanying this enlightening read was a book titled “The Life of Muhammad (sa), which further enriched my exploration into different faiths and beliefs. “Christianity, A Journey from Facts to Fiction” by His Holiness Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh). I read it slowly, repeatedly, and was greatly impressed by the article, feeling delighted to my heart’s content. The material was excellent, and I felt that the author handled the situation based solely on rationality, without relying heavily on scriptural references. At times, it made me feel that the author was too rational and went to an extent that I had never considered before. However, the entire text addressed the subject comprehensively, leaving no room for ambiguity or suspicion. For the first time, I realized that religion and faith could also be analyzed from this perspective, rather than solely relying on blind faith, which is far from reality. After reading the entire book, a strange transformation occurred within me, clearing all the cobwebs in my heart and mind.

The very next day, I read the book “The Life of Muhammad” by His Holiness Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad (ra). I read the entire book in a single night and was deeply moved to tears and thrilled as I went through the spiritual journey of the Prophet Muhammad (sa). For the first time, I learned about a religion that worships the Almighty as He is, without giving Him any form or shape. After reading the detailed cardinal doctrines about the Prophet (sa), I was greatly touched by the sufferings of the Prophet (sa) and his companions in the path of establishing the Unity of God.

As I reached the last page of the book, the verse quoted, “This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favor on you and have chosen for you Islam as religion” (The Holy Quran, Chapter 5: Verse 4), made me hold the book so close to my heart. Tears flowed freely, and I cried for what seemed like an eternity. My soul completely submitted to the Word of the Almighty, as He Himself mentioned with His own words, stating that the religion He has chosen for mankind is Islam.

In January 1999, I drafted my very first letter to the author of the book “Christianity: The Journey from Facts to Fiction,” our beloved Khalifatul Masih IV, Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh). In the 15 pages of a handwritten letter narrating my entire journey, the response I received was lines saying, “Welcome to Ahmadiyyat, the True Islam.” I was surprised by this response, as I had unknowingly accepted Ahmadiyyat. I felt as though I had reached my destination.

Soon after, learning about Ahmadiyyat got easier with frequent acquaintance and correspondence with our beloved Khalifa (rh). My beloved Khalifatul-Masih IV (rh) responded with immense care and compassion in his letters, offering solace and prayers for the challenges and tears I faced. Through his guidance and support, I found the strength to navigate the adversities of everyday life and remain steadfast in my faith.

As I began reciting the opening Chapter of the Holy Quran, Surah Al-Fatihah, with its English translation, I started to experience a range of emotions. I would write about my dreams to Khalifat-ul-Masih IV (rh), and as the days passed, reciting this very first chapter of the Holy Quran became a great weapon for me to combat any difficulties in my daily life.

Later, by God’s grace, I became acquainted with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Bangalore and received the Initiation (Bai‘at) form from the Ameer, respected Shafiulla, to initiate myself. However, after reading all ten conditions of Initiation, I experienced a setback, as I found myself pondering those conditions; it took me a full six months to regain my composure. I pondered whether I could uphold my faith.

It was a monumental decision to make all by myself, without informing my loving parents who held me so dear. I was truly at a loss. At one point, I considered staying as I was but practicing my faith, yet that seemed impossible. It was becoming increasingly challenging for me to accept my beloved Almighty in any form other than as a mere man-made idol.

Then, one fateful night as I drifted into slumber, reciting the sacred verses of Surah Fatihah – the only prayer I knew, a dream unfolded before me, painting a tapestry of Divine guidance and profound revelation.

In this ethereal vision, I found myself amidst my beloved family in a verdant garden, the melodic flow of a river serenading our joyous gathering. As the heavens opened, a gentle drizzle descended, painting the sky in hues of twilight. A rainbow arched gracefully across the river, its vibrant colors casting a spell of enchantment. Spellbound by its beauty, I was compelled to approach this celestial marvel.

As I drew closer to the rainbow, tiny raindrops shimmered in the fading light, and a mysterious force gently lifted me from the earthly realm, my family moving further and further away from me. Ascending the rainbow, I found myself transported to a land of stark beauty – a vast desert devoid of life, save for a singular black stone building, a cube-like structure, the HOLY KA‘ABA standing in solemn reverence.

In this barren expanse, a group of cloaked figures, adorned in pristine white garments, knelt in reverent prostration. A voice, gentle yet commanding, echoed through the desolate silence, beckoning me forth with familiarity. “We were waiting for you. Why are you so late?” I just joined them and offered my prayers. When I woke up, I could hear the morning call to prayer from the mosque close to our home.

The very next day, August 2000, Al-Hamdu Lillah (praise be to Allah), I happened to sign my Bai‘at (initiation) form, and a couple of months later, I received a letter stating that it had been accepted and signed with his blessed hands, by our beloved Khalifatul Masih IV (rh), in March 2001, and the Khalifat-ul-Masih IV also named me Pakeeza Durr-e-Sameen.

Since my first name, “Prapulla,” means “Purity,” a flower drenched in the early morning dew and not associated with any pagan meanings, with the permission of our beloved Khalifa, I kept my name as Durr-e-Sameen Prapulla. To my utter astonishment and sheer delight, then, the eagerly awaited letter from London arrived, this time in a large envelope containing a photograph. As a novice, I humbly requested our beloved Khalifa to send his photograph because I still did not know what he looked like.

Upon seeing his blessed image, a wave of emotions engulfed me, as it humanized the intellectual, spiritual, and rational understanding of the human mind, which perceives the Creator as the One God.

Additionally, a smile graced my face as I observed the signature beneath the photograph, little realizing that this moment would mark a significant turning point in my life, destined to have a profound impact on my future. Praise be to Allah! With sheer delight, I humbly stand before you all this day. All the prayers of my dear Khalifah have been accepted, and with his loving prayers, I was blessed to get married to a loving, pious Aḥmadi Muslim. We have three Waqf-e-Nau children (devoted to the service of Islam) and the past twenty years are blessed with many capacities serving this blessed community of the Promised Messiah (as). Praise be to Allah. May the blessings of Allah be on His Prophet.