06/07/2022
As SalamuAlaikum wa rahmahtullahi wa Barakatu
I would like to share a testimony of one of many Muslims who have benefited from this program, Alhamdulillah.
“Assalam Alaikum,
My name is James Cox, but everyone calls me Abdullah. Back in February of 2014 I found myself in jail for the very first time ever. Little did I know this experience was going to change my life completely. I grew up going to Christian schools and lived in a Christian home. Alhamdulillah, I had struggles, but I am sure there are others who have had it worse than me.
In 2001, My father was murdered when I was fourteen. This really affected me in an extremely negative way. Eventually I turned to substance abuse to turn off my pain.
About 6 months after being in jail, I was sentenced to 6 years 8 months and was sent to a state prison. My first cell mate was a Muslim. I asked him If I could read the Quran with him, and he said yes. We completed the Quran in 7 days! After reading the book of Allah I had no doubt that it was legitimate revelation and that Muhammad, peace be upon him was the messenger of Allah. I accepted Islam as my religion that day and denied my former beliefs in the trinity. The brother helped me take my shahada and taught me how to pray.
From that day forward I read, studied, and taught what I had learned. It was exceedingly difficult for me to get books because I was poor and had no family support. So, I wrote every Masjid and Islamic organization I could find seeking help in attaining knowledge of Islam. Many of those institutions I wrote never even wrote me back. But that was not the case with International Open University. They heard my plea for help and responded with an application for a scholarship in the Distance Learning Correspondence Program to attain an Islamic Studies Diploma.
The day I received the acceptance letter from Mutahhir Sabree on behalf of International Open University, I fell to my knees in tears thanking Allah for such a blessed opportunity. This was a monumental milestone in my journey to attain structured knowledge of Islam. The guidance and education that I received by International Open University during my incarceration helped me stay focused, stay away from negative influences, and increased my Taqwa and Iman. I could never repay International Open University or their staff and volunteers for everything they have given me. May Allah reward you all with the highest level of Paradise.
I have been out of prison for a little over a year now and thanks to Allah I have made numerous achievements. Today I am married with a new son, I am in college and have a wonderful job. I am a highly active member in the Masjid Dawah Committee where I oversee the prison correspondence program. Now, inshallah, I am ready to continue my studies with International Open University. The team have made it a seamless transition to continue my studies with them.
The work International Open University is doing, is by far the best program in the country in regard to helping Muslims in prison. I encourage all those who are reading this to help this organization with your time and if you cannot do that help them financially. If you help, you will be helping people who are in prison, like I was, to attain the correct knowledge of the deen. Most Muslims in prison don’t get the help of our communities, this is a great way for you to support our brothers and sister who are neglected and forgotten. We can show them we love them and want the best for them by supporting an organization like International Open University.
Jazzaka Allahu Kaiyran
Abdullah-James Cox”
Barakallahu Feek
The International Open University’s (IOU) Distance Learning Prison Initiative, in the United States, has witnessed continued expansion of the program and it reaches more than half of the nation (29 states and Puerto Rico). After starting with 500 inmates in 2014, the program has increased its’ e...
