Reflections on the Psychology of Conversion: An Inquiry into the Life of Abdullah Adiyar Based on his Personal Narrative, Chirayshalayil Irunth Pallivaasal Vare (From Prison to the Mosque)

Abstract

This paper attempts to examine the life of the famous writer and public figure of South India, Adiyar, later known as Abdulla Adiyar, who underwent religious conversion on June 6, 1987. Adiyar was a celebrated poet, author, playwright and journalist who was born as son of a communist father in a Tamil speaking community. Out of fascination for a new faith while being an atheist, he went through a drastic transformation in lifestyle, perception and vision of life. He authored several books on Islam, the most well-known being Chirayshaalayil Irunth Pallivaasal Vare (From Prison to the Mosque) and Naan Kadhalikum Islam translated as “The Islam I Love”. With a deeper exploration of his personal narrative, “From Prison to the Mosque” (translated into Malayalam by Abdul Jabbar Munniyoor as “Thadavarayilninnu Palliyilek”), this paper delves deep into the challenges encountered by the author, whose life journey eventually created widespread impact upon others too. Quests are central to most conversion narratives and identity crisis is often associated with them. Analyzing the motivational factors that affected his religious conversion, the psychological dimensions of faith change, and the influences of the author within the socio-cultural context that he lived in, this study discusses the personal experiences and challenges faced by Adiyar during his conversion.