Why an Anglican Priest Left Christianity for Islam | Yusuf Ogston's Extraordinary Journey:Blogging Theology- Nov 6, 2026

 YouTube Video:

https://youtu.be/qSXZqwbY-jc?si=M6cIu5SdXzN13Ao9

Books & Resources that Yusuf Ogston found helpful.1The Poem ‘The Journey’ by Mary Oliver, 2.Women who run with the Wolves’ by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, 3.The Poetry of Hafiz, 4.The Poetry of Rumi, 5.‘Letter to a disciple’ by Al Ghazali, 6.‘The Book of Assistance’ by Iman al Haddad, 7.‘Islam and the Destiny of Man’ by Gai Eaton, 8.‘The Conference of the Birds’ by Farid ud-Din Attar, 9.‘The Road to Makkah’ by Muhammad Asad, 10.Novel ‘The Minaret’ by Laila AbuLeila, 11.‘The Autobiography of Malcom X’ (especially chapter on the Haj), 12.‘The Vision of Islam’ by William Chittick & Sachiko Murata, 13.Documentary (available on Youtube) ‘The Alchemy of Happiness’ (Life of Al Ghazali), 14.Youtube talks and lectures by Abdul Hakim Murad (Cambridge Muslim College), 15.Youtube talks and lectures by Hamza Yusuf (Zaytuna Institute)

Article:My First Umrah Pilgrimage: Russell Yusuf Ogston - Medium-Feb 5,2024

https://medium.com/@rogston39/my-first-umrah-pilgrimage-36830a62206d

"Madinah, the place where the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) created the first Muslim community after his expulsion from Makkah, and the place he died. Thus, the many thousands of pilgrims will stay in Madinah either before or after Umrah. What struck me first, upon arriving in Madinah, was the rugged and harsh mountainous landscape; this was a tough environment to live in, like so many prophets before him, it would be a place of hardship as well as divine revelation. After arriving at the hotel, we all made the 5 minute walk to Masjid an-Nabawi (The Prophet’s mosque) and the tomb of the prophet Mohammed (pbuh). My first impression was one of peace, joy and oneness; thousands of fellow Muslims from countless countries smiling, laughing, sitting sharing food together, taking photos or chatting on their mobile phones to loved ones back home who are unable to share the journey. There were pilgrims from so many countries and cultures, young and old, rich and poor, healthy and sick, able and disabled, all joined in their love for the prophet. It was an emotional moment for me, as I took in the moment; majestic green minarets towering above us all in the evening sky, the beauty of the prophet’s tomb and the sound of birdsong that would be the constant backdrop to this journey. There was an atmosphere of intimacy despite the crowds, as Muslims of every persuasion gathered to offer their Salams to the prophet; from extreme Sufis to conservative Salafis, the pious and the not so pious, we were all now united in purpose.
After Fajr prayer the next morning, I entered the tomb of the prophet. The entrance was beautiful, adorned in green (His favourite colour) and gold. Together with other pilgrims we walked the corridor that leads to the tombs of Mohammed (pbuh) and his 2 closest companions, Abu Bakr and Umar ibn al-Khattab, and a vacant grave ready for Jesus, as we await his return and for him to be eventually buried in this holiest of sites. Approaching the tomb was very moving, as men from various countries raised their hand in Salam, many openly weeping as they prayed their words of gratitude. Just in front of me, a Pakistani man stood transfixed quietly crying, unaware of the pushing crowds around him. A tall African man directly behind me uttered words of thanks and then placed his hand on my shoulder as we filed past the tomb. As I walked out into the emerging morning sunlight, people stood hands clasped together in prayer, some taking photos, some standing for a long time, not wishing to leave. The green dome (that was once the prophet’s home with his wife Aisha) is the beacon that leads us all to the tomb, where Mohammed (pbuh) was laid to rest".

"Straight after ta’aaf, I made my way to Maqam Ibrahim (Station of Ibrahim), where an imprint of Ibrahim’s footprints is encased in a large golden circular structure. It is believed the footprints were from the time of the original ka’aba being built, with Ishmael sitting on his shoulders. It is very close to the black stone so can get very crowded. As I approached it, an Egyptian man with his young son called me forward, “Yallah habibi, yallah!” and pushed me to the front so I could see the footprints and touch the glass. I turned to thank the man, but he and his son were already lost in the crowd. I then went to drink and wash my face and hair with zamzam water (the miraculous water that sprang forth after Hajar prayed in desperation for water for her son Ishmael)".

 

Article:Former British chaplain Russell Ogston In his first "public interview" after converting to Islam-Islam Message Org.

https://islammessage.org/en/article/18160/Former-British-chaplain-Russell-Ogston-In-his-first-%22public-interview%22-after-converting-to-Islam