There is no doubt that the most common request posed by lifetime Muslims to new converts is: “Tell me about your journey to Islam.”
“The Converts’ Circle” will be a regular feature in Minaret Media where new Muslim brothers and sisters are invited and encouraged to talk about their journey.
First off the mark is Sebastian Guzman.
Born and raised in Latin America, Sebastian Guzman grew up in an environment where violence, drugs and excess were simply part of everyday life.
By his own admission, he spent his teenage years making choices he’s not proud of, caught up in a world where the wrong path always seemed the easiest one to take.
But life had other plans for Sebastian.
In 2014, everything changed when he discovered Islam.
What followed was nothing short of a transformation.
Gone were the superficial pursuits – the fast cars, the parties, the endless chasing of things that never satisfied.
In their place came purpose, clarity and a sense of belonging he had never known before.
“Islam makes you reassess your purpose in life and helps you to become a better person,” Sebastian told Minaret Media.
And that’s exactly what it did for him!
Two organisations that played a significant role in Sebastian’s early journey as a Muslim were Brothers In Need and Project Qur’an – and his admiration for both organisations and their co-founders Dean Mousad and Aladdin Elmir runs deep.
Brothers In Need, with its powerful focus on community support and outreach, and Project Qur’an, with its dedication to Islamic education and dawah, gave Sebastian a framework for living his faith in practical, meaningful ways.
Volunteering with them – particularly feeding the homeless at Martin Place in Sydney’s CBD – opened his eyes in ways he never expected.
“The homeless have names too….they have stories,” he reflects.
“For anyone who has never volunteered in this kind of program, I would highly recommend it.”
Now a proud Western Sydney local, Sebastian is working in a job he genuinely loves and is living a life grounded in faith and gratitude.
A talented basketballer, he is also a passionate Sydney Roosters fan – as our feature image where Sebastian is pictured with good friend Zeyad Abu shows – and with his favourite team having recently claimed the 2026 NRL Premiership, he’s got plenty to celebrate.
But perhaps what gives Sebastian the most satisfaction is the time he spends with his fellow new Muslims.
A regular at The Brothers’ Circle – the LMA’s popular Wednesday night gathering for convert brothers at Lakemba Mosque – he is living proof of what the program is all about.
For Sebastian, walking through those doors each Wednesday night is about brotherhood, shared experience and the quiet reassurance that comes from being surrounded by people who truly understand the journey.
“I was born to be a Muslim,” he says with a huge smile.
- If you are a convert to Islam and would like your story to be told in Minaret Media, send it to us at editorial@minaretmedia.com.au Submissions should be 700 words maximum and please attach up to four appropriate photos. If writing isn’t one of your strengths, just send us your contact details and we will be in touch.
- The Brothers’ Circle is a weekly gathering for convert brothers at Lakemba Mosque immediately following Maghrib every Wednesday night. We look forward to seeing you!
