Athira, a 23-year-old woman, who had earlier converted to Islam has now returned to Hinduism claiming that she did not realize the significance of her religion.

Athira, a native of Kasargod, earlier this year converted to Islam. After her family complained that she had gone missing, Athira made a public appearance in July. Dressed in hijab, she clearly stated that she had converted to Islam on her free will. However, last day, she made yet another public appearance this time with her parents. The 23-year-old, who started off the press conference, with an ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ said that she had decided to return her own faith, Hinduism.

Speaking exclusively to India Today, Athira revealed the whole story.

“During my college days most of my friends were Muslims. Some of them started to initiate religious conversations and they used to tell that Hindu beliefs were not authentic I didn’t have any response as I knew nothing about my religion. Influenced by them, I misunderstood that Islam is the only true religion. They used to give me books to read. I was really frightened after reading the descriptions of hell.

“I used to listen to speeches including that of Zakir Naik. After all these, I misunderstood that Islam is the only true religion. I blindly believed in Islam. That’s when I decided to choose Islam, ” Athira says.

When asked about the influence of external forces, Athria clearly says that nobody had influenced her to convert. Her friends only shared some religious texts with her for learning.

Athira to Ayisha

Influenced by her friends and religious texts, Athira decided to embrace Islam. But realizing the objection from her parents she decided to leave her home. On July 10th, she left home leaving a letter to her parents that she has gone to learn about Islam.  After series of judicial battles, Athria decided to go with her parents under the condition that they would not let her practice the religion of her choice. After embracing Islam she also changed her name as Ayisha.

Back to Athira

After a silence of over a month, Athira once again met the media, this time claiming that he has decided to return to Hinduism. The return is believed to be under the counselling of Arsha Vidya Samajam.

Talking about her return, Athira says that after contacting Arya Vidhya Samajam, they asked her to read Quran with logic rather than blind religious belief.  “As I started reading it with logic, I started to realize that many things mentioned in the Quran were wrong or illogical.

It was the unawareness about my own religion that forced me to believe in another religion. Now, I’m happy for realizing the fact and returning to Hinduism,” concluded Athira.