Leroy Channer was born and raised in Jamaica, in a small seaside town named Johnson Town. He grew up in a highly disciplined and structured Christian sabbath-keeping household. From his earliest memories, Leroy was not allowed to drink Pepsi, Coca-Cola, coffee, tea or alcohol. Eating pork was also prohibited, along with fish without scales, and any shellfish such as crabs, lobsters, shrimps or cockles. It was also compulsory to attend church every Saturday. The sabbath would begin after sunset on Friday and end after sunset on Saturday. There were also Sunday evening and Wednesday evening prayer meeting services.

In coming to England, Leroy became aware of Islam for the first time and was drawn to this religion for its high standard of hygiene. He was much impressed by the steps to purification taken by Muslims before they approached their Creator for worship (wudu). The Muslims’ centuries-old rituals of respect and reverence for the Almighty, including touching their foreheads to the ground five times every day, naturally seemed the right way to worship God:

“As Abraham fell on his face.” (Genesis 17:3)

“As Moses and Aaron fell upon their faces.” (Numbers 16:22, Numbers 20:6)

“As Elijah fell upon his face.” (1 Kings 18:42)

As Joshua fell upon his face. (Joshua 5:14)

“As Job fell upon his face.” (Job 1:20)

“As Daniel turned his face toward the ground.” (Daniel 10:9)

“As Jesus fell on his face.” (Matthew 26:39)

“As the angels and all the heavenly hosts fell upon their faces.” (Revelation 7:11, Revelation 11:16)

After observing and reflecting on Islam, Leroy decided to examine his own childhood faith to see if it really did justice in giving Almighty God His rightful due. Upon comparison it became clear to him that there were certain elements where Islam prevailed. Firstly, Islam provides a guided, structured and complete way of life. Secondly, Islam holds the Creator as absolute and guides us to direct our worship to none other than Him. These discoveries led Leroy to bear witness that there is no god but Allah and Muhammed (PBUH) is His servant and messenger as was Jesus (PBUH).