AbdulRahman Miskofe Magiagi

Introduction.
My name is AbdulRahman Misikofe Magiagi Sa'ologa Tamanui O Te Ra Michael Tia.
My Father is from Western Samoa a Matai of two villages.
My Mother is Tangata whenua from Ngati Kauwhata of high status too.
Both my parents and I are first born, eldest in our families.
Life before Islam.
Both my parents are very religious. My dad from the Pacific Island church.
My mum was a seeker exploring different religions, Christianity, Roman Catholic, Mormon a Gypsy, a believer in search for the truth.
Myself, I was like my mum, until I found my path in Christianity at the age of 13.
I was brought up in Otara, South Auckland before it became what it is today, disunity.
As I grew in the Pentecostal movement, I did my training in Bible College for three years and as a correspondent.
It was then in Bible College, I saw things differently. As if the gap in my life was still unfilled.
I became a Pastor and Evangelist teacher of my faith. Preaching the teachings of the Gospel in South Auckland.
I started to question my life choices. I felt unsatisfied and uneasy. That restlessness grew.
My first encounter with a Muslim.
As a pastor I also worked. I was a truck driver and my despatch officer was a Muslim. I had no problem with him. I respected his faith as he did mine.
My conversion.
In 1994 as a truck driver, one day I was checking my truck. I could hear this praying in the truck trailer next to mine. I quietly looked inside and saw my despatch officer praying.
I was blown away witnessing this.
I asked him questions when he finished his prayer and he answered and shared with me the teachings of Islam.
I felt the gap closing (the void in my heart). The bro invited me to the mosque.
That night I challenged Allah to give me a sign. I dreamt I was in the Mosque. I saw my bro with his brothers praying. I woke up and later spoke to the brother, "I want to come to the mosque" and he took me.
I couldn't believe it. It was exactly what I saw in the dreams including all the brothers.
My conversion.
I took my shahada and became a Muslim.
The sad part of the journey was that it only lasted a few years. The pressure with my wife (now ex wife )and the church became too much for me, so I left because I had to choose.
Things became more tough and difficult as a Pastor. I got divorced, and I gave up my job to stay home to look after my children. I moved around alot and got remarried. Again that didn't work out.
I Pastored in so many places until last year 2020, my son and
I reverted to Islam.
What I love about Islam?
Everything the cultural connection as a Muslim.
The explained Truth...and there is so much more.
How has Islam improved me as a person?
Allah never gave up on me, the submission to peace and unity. Being honest in all things, disciplined, praying 5 times a day..
The freedom from the oppression of this colonization.
Since I've been a Muslim, I see my path more clearly.
My family likes my changes.
If only my parents were alive. They would be proud of me and would have supported me. I am sure they would have converted too.
My siblings and other whanau members respect me as I respect them.
As a Māori Polynesian Muslim what challenges have you faced?
I have faced challenges with the Churches.
Even racist remarks from the public too "Go back to your country!"
I call back at them, "I'm Tangata whenua" and that they are the foreigners, lol.
Thank you for reading my story.
May Allah keep us all strong. MashAllah