My name is Anissa Al Hassan. I was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and moved to live with my father and stepmother when I was five years old.
My stepmother adopted me and my sister, raising us as her own children. I grew up in a devoted Christian household, attending church regularly, and my faith in God was strong from a young age. I was particularly inspired by the story of Prophet Abraham in the Bible, which gave me strength and direction.
Although most of my family were Christians, I embraced Islam at the age of 23 after meeting my husband, who introduced me to the faith. My journey began with the Nation of Islam, but I soon left after realizing its limitations. Later, I attended Sunni mosques, but the lack of acceptance and respect I experienced discouraged me. Despite this, I continued to learn at home and held on to my belief in God.
After separating from my husband, I moved back to Los Angeles, where I was introduced to the Moors. Through them, I learned about the Ahlul Bayt and the deeper spiritual teachings of Shia Islam. It was in 1993 that I finally took my Shahada. Learning about Imam Husayn (A.S.), the tragedy of Karbala, and the sacrifices of the Prophet’s family resonated deeply with me, as they reminded me of the struggles and suffering of my own ancestors who endured slavery and oppression. These stories moved me profoundly and connected my personal history to the faith.
I was also inspired by the example of Lady Fatima (S.A.) and the Hadith al-Kisa, which strengthened my devotion. For the first time, prayer felt truly meaningful. With the guidance of the Moors, I was able to connect spiritually and feel the blessings of Allah in my life.
As I grew in faith, I dedicated myself to serving my community. I raised not only my own children but also nieces, nephews, and neighborhood children—up to sixteen at one time. Many of them embraced Islam under my care. I worked alongside others to teach, feed, and support both Muslims and non-Muslims in need, often housing the homeless in my small home. Despite many hardships, including a lack of funding and even harassment by authorities, I continued to see my work as a blessing from Allah.
Over the years, I have taught and supported countless sisters and brothers, guided some to Islam, and helped others rebuild their lives. I have also been active in community programs—feeding the homeless, supporting former prisoners, and teaching about the Ahlul Bayt. Even in a neighborhood plagued by gangs and poverty, respect has grown for our efforts, and the community recognizes the positive impact of Islam.
Today, my greatest hope is to establish a masjid in South Central Los Angeles that includes not only a place of worship, but also housing, education, and jobs for the Shi’a African American community. We continue to struggle with limited resources, but with Allah’s help and the support of believers, we pray to overcome these challenges.
Alhamdulillah, my journey to Islam has been filled with trials and blessings. Through it all, my love for Allah, the Prophet, and the Ahlul Bayt has only deepened, and I remain committed to serving both my faith and my community.
↓↓↓Watch Video↓↓↓↓:
http://al-mostabserin.com/english/2005
Oct 7 2025
Conversion Story of “Anissa Al Hassan”
My name is Anissa Al Hassan. I was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and moved to live with my father and stepmother when I was five years old.
My stepmother adopted me and my sister, raising us as her own children. I grew up in a devoted Christian household, attending church regularly, and my faith in God was strong from a young age. I was particularly inspired by the story of Prophet Abraham in the Bible, which gave me strength and direction.
Although most of my family were Christians, I embraced Islam at the age of 23 after meeting my husband, who introduced me to the faith. My journey began with the Nation of Islam, but I soon left after realizing its limitations. Later, I attended Sunni mosques, but the lack of acceptance and respect I experienced discouraged me. Despite this, I continued to learn at home and held on to my belief in God.
After separating from my husband, I moved back to Los Angeles, where I was introduced to the Moors. Through them, I learned about the Ahlul Bayt and the deeper spiritual teachings of Shia Islam. It was in 1993 that I finally took my Shahada. Learning about Imam Husayn (A.S.), the tragedy of Karbala, and the sacrifices of the Prophet’s family resonated deeply with me, as they reminded me of the struggles and suffering of my own ancestors who endured slavery and oppression. These stories moved me profoundly and connected my personal history to the faith.
I was also inspired by the example of Lady Fatima (S.A.) and the Hadith al-Kisa, which strengthened my devotion. For the first time, prayer felt truly meaningful. With the guidance of the Moors, I was able to connect spiritually and feel the blessings of Allah in my life.
As I grew in faith, I dedicated myself to serving my community. I raised not only my own children but also nieces, nephews, and neighborhood children—up to sixteen at one time. Many of them embraced Islam under my care. I worked alongside others to teach, feed, and support both Muslims and non-Muslims in need, often housing the homeless in my small home. Despite many hardships, including a lack of funding and even harassment by authorities, I continued to see my work as a blessing from Allah.
Over the years, I have taught and supported countless sisters and brothers, guided some to Islam, and helped others rebuild their lives. I have also been active in community programs—feeding the homeless, supporting former prisoners, and teaching about the Ahlul Bayt. Even in a neighborhood plagued by gangs and poverty, respect has grown for our efforts, and the community recognizes the positive impact of Islam.
Today, my greatest hope is to establish a masjid in South Central Los Angeles that includes not only a place of worship, but also housing, education, and jobs for the Shi’a African American community. We continue to struggle with limited resources, but with Allah’s help and the support of believers, we pray to overcome these challenges.
Alhamdulillah, my journey to Islam has been filled with trials and blessings. Through it all, my love for Allah, the Prophet, and the Ahlul Bayt has only deepened, and I remain committed to serving both my faith and my community.
↓↓↓Watch Video↓↓↓↓:
http://al-mostabserin.com/english/2005
By english • Chronicles of the converted to Shia • 0 • Tags: Anissa Al Hassan, conversion story, converted to Islam, Converted to Shia, Mostabserin, Reborn, Story