I Left Private Jets & VIP Life for Islam! - Ex-Christian German’s Conversion to Islam

I Left Private Jets & VIP Life for Islam! - Ex-Christian German’s Conversion to Islam

I went to a Catholic school. I don’t think I really had a relationship to God. I was sitting in a cafe in London. Across from us, there were two young men. He’s from a noble and one of the richest, wealthiest Arab families. From that moment on, my whole life turned upside down. Sometimes flying private jets, private planes. I flew with the Concorde. We had chauffeurs, maids, chefs. I mean all you can imagine. And to be honest, those conversations, they completely changed the way I was thinking. So I started buying books about Islam. And the more I read, I mean that was mind-blowing. Putting all the dots together made absolutely sense to me. And there was this live transmission of the prayer in Mecca. Sheikh Sudais was reciting the Quran. And it just hit me, just like this, and I started crying. Crying and crying and crying. So I went to him and I said, what we are doing here is haram (forbidden), and we either get married, or I have to leave. And he told me then that he wasn’t ready for marriage. And in that moment, I just knew it, I can’t anymore. As-salamu alaykum (Peace be upon you) Sister Patricia Venco, welcome to Towards Eternity. We are very happy to have you with us. I want to start with, who is Patricia Venco? Can you tell us briefly about your life, please? Wa alaikum assalam (And upon you be peace). Thank you so much for your invitation. I’m very happy to be here. About myself, well, I’m a German revert. My father was Greek actually, and my mum was Czech. I grew up in a Christian but very liberal environment. At the age of 20, I converted to Islam. At 50, I started studying health psychology, and later on became the co-founder of Unaya, a supplement company. And today, I share all my knowledge and experience on social media as a health advocate. How was your life before Islam? Can you take us back to those days, please? I went to a Catholic school. So I grew up there with, you know, Catholicism and reading the stories of the prophets. My parents divorced when I was very young, and I grew up with my mum. She really prayed to God, she celebrated Easter and Christmas. So God was always there somehow. I knew He existed, but I never really went deeper. I never really asked like what faith actually means. I don’t think I really had a relationship to God. It was more the traditions which were part of my life, whether it was celebrating Christmas, very happy always with the presents of course. In Germany actually everyone who is working and who is considering himself like a Christian pays taxes to the church. But since my mum also left church actually at a certain point, she said like, “Why do I need to pay money to believe in God? You know, why do I need to pay taxes for it?” So she left church despite believing in God. How did you first hear about Islam, and how did your journey begin? Well, I think my journey is quite unusual. It started during summer holidays. I went to England for a language course, and the day before flying back to Germany, I was sitting in a cafe in London with a friend of mine. And across from us, there were two young men. They approached us, we started talking, exchanged phone numbers, and from that moment on, my whole life turned upside down. 180 degrees. So I stayed in contact with one of them, and later on he told me that he’s from a noble and one of the richest, wealthiest Arab families. And we ended up being in a relationship for more than four years. And those were really the most crazy years of my life. I mean, I was a young girl from Germany, suddenly living a “princess” life. And it was just like a fairy tale. I mean, every girl wants to be a princess, right? So yeah, we were really having a very exclusive lifestyle. Like VIP service all around the world, sometimes flying private jets, private planes, I flew with the Concorde. We had chauffeurs, maids, chefs. I mean all you can imagine. I even met Michael Jackson. My boyfriend at that time, he had huge passion for expensive sports cars. So sometimes we would just drive through London with a bright coloured Rolls Royce or with the latest Jaguar sports car to a cafe. Which it was just amazing, it was just a crazy lifestyle. And we even drove through Los Angeles just like on a yellow Harley-Davidson without helmets. Yeah, it was just crazy. And you know, his family was always very kind to me. And what I loved the most about them were their very strong family ties. Although he wasn’t very religiously practising, he still carried many of those core values of Islam. So very often we talked about religion, about women, men, about respect and dignity. And to be honest, those conversations, they completely changed the way I was thinking. I mean, at the beginning I didn’t know much about Islam. I had all those typical ideas in my head that women aren’t respected and poor them, and that they are forced to cover up, you know? But the more he explained how valued women actually are in Islam and that modesty can even be a form of liberation, the more I started questioning my own life. Because indeed, if beauty is dictated by the fashion and by the beauty industry, how free am I really? Am I actually free to choose who gets to see how much of my body? Am I that free, or is it just an illusion? And what happens if I choose not to show everything, for example when applying for a job? I mean, is the outside really, really more important than my inner values and qualities? You know, and with time I realised that women in the West started competing with men, trying to be like men simply because they were not truly given the value and the rights they deserve as a woman. And that’s where my inner journey actually began, with that realisation that there’s another way of thinking and lifestyle and approaching things. So back then, you know, when I sometimes visited his home country, it was quite boring. There was no social media or anything at that time, and there wasn’t much to do. So I started buying books. And those old-fashioned big VHS tapes about Islam. That was what was available there. And at those times, Sheikh Ahmed Deedat and Professor Jeffrey Lang, these were the famous dawah (invitation to Islam) guys. So I watched some of their lectures, videos of scientists converting to Islam. I watched videos about the miracles of the Quran. And the more I watched and the more I read, the more I realised this cannot be from any other source than God. I mean, an illiterate man in the desert over 1,400 years ago could not have known about flames in the depth of the sea, or that mountains, they have deep roots stabilizing the Earth’s crust, or that the sun is actually producing its own light while the moon only reflects it. I mean, that was mind-blowing. And then I went even deeper. I started comparing religions because I thought okay, how about Christianity then? And this was actually the first time in my life I truly searched for the concept of God. I started to read the Bible. It was the first time. And I watched many debates by Sheikh Ahmed Deedat. I mean he was incredibly strong in comparing Bible verses and Quran verses and the Old Testament and all other scriptures. So he was so knowledgeable in going back to the original teachings. You just realise also that the original teachings of Jesus, peace be upon him, were just to worship one God. I mean he never said he is one of three, he never claimed He is God. So things got changed much later on. But the original teachings are the same. And I mean also the way he prayed, or that he fasted, that he didn’t eat pork. I mean so many, so many things. Or Maryam (Mary), you know, the mother of Jesus. I mean she is one of our biggest examples. And also from the outside, you know, she’s always covered. So as I said, all dots, if you put them all together, it just makes sense suddenly. Suddenly everything makes sense. And at some point I realised something very important. That the messages were always the same. The source was always the same. From Adam to Moses, to Jesus, to Muhammad, peace be upon them all. And then I understood that I don’t have to choose between the religions because if I am a Muslim, I automatically believe in the true teachings of Christianity and Judaism. I mean a Muslim isn’t a Muslim if he doesn’t believe in Jesus and Moses and all those before them. So putting all the dots together made absolutely sense to me. But on the other hand, I also feel things very deeply. And Islam spoke really to both parts of me. So then there was that very, very special moment in his home country. I remember as if it was today. I wished to turn on the TV, so I took the remote control, I put on the TV, and there was this live transmission of the prayer in Mecca. And I think it was for the first time that I really, really paid attention. So Sheikh Sudais was reciting the Quran. And I’ll never forget how his voice trembled. You could feel the awe and the love for Allah in every word. And then I looked at all those Muslims. They were standing side by side, bowing down, humbling themselves in front of God, united. And some of them were even crying. And it just hit me, just like this. And I started crying. Crying and crying and crying. And I didn’t understand a single word of what he said. But I think my heart did. And my soul did. And I think it’s like, you know, a baby that doesn’t understand the words of its mum, but it recognises her. And that’s exactly how it felt. In that moment I knew it. I just knew it. Allah really exists. And He is the one and only truth. And how did you feel when you took your shahada (declaration of faith)? So I went back to Germany to a small backyard mosque. The imam (prayer leader) was very nice, he smiled, he welcomed me. So we sat on the floor in a circle, and he asked me a few questions, whether I know about Islam, whether I’m forced to it, or I’m doing this voluntarily. Yeah, and then he asked me to read the shahada (declaration of faith). And I still remember, I felt incredibly light. Like a deep, deep relief. As if my soul was saying, “Ah, finally.” And so how did your relationship develop after you accepted Islam? Did you tell him? Yeah, well I told him, and he noticed as well. Because my love for Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala (the Glorified and Exalted) grew day by day. And I started to fast, I started to pray. But that also made me feel less and less comfortable with my fancy princess life because going out to nightclubs with a hijab (headscarf) doesn’t really make sense, you know? So in the beginning I tried to find a compromise. So when I was in Germany, I wore my hijab (headscarf). And when I was with him, I would take it off. And he was okay with it, he said like he doesn’t want me to wear hijab (headscarf) when I’m with him. I said okay. But deep, deep inside, it just didn’t feel right. It caused a huge struggle in my heart. Because I can’t live two different lives at the same time and be happy. So I noticed also with the time, the closer I felt to Allah, actually the more distance I felt between me and him. Yeah, and then one thing happened, and I knew this could be the end. I was reading more and more about Islam, trying to learn. And I remember closing that book and thinking, “Okay, something is really wrong here. I can’t do this anymore, I can’t ignore this.” So I went to him and I said, “What we are doing here is haram (forbidden), and I just can’t continue like this. We either get married, or I have to leave.” And he told me then that he wasn’t ready for marriage. But we could continue the way we did. And in that moment, I just knew it. I can’t. I can’t anymore. So I packed my bags, and I left. And so how did you feel when you just came home and left the relationship that continued for four years? That was really a terrible time. That was a disaster because I got back home and I didn’t even have a place anymore with my mum. What am I gonna do? What am I gonna do with my life? Because I just finished high school but I didn’t go through an education yet. No travelling anymore, no private jets anymore, no VIP service anymore, nothing. So I felt like a visitor back home because I stayed not only for one week or two weeks or three weeks, you know, I used to travel back and forth. So I stayed, it was like, okay, forever now. Cooking, household cleaning, everything just like continuously on your own. And it was very difficult. And realising like, okay, it’s over. And what to do now. So I thought like okay let me study Islam. So I went to university and yeah, for some reason I wasn’t very convinced. I thought like, ah can I really do that? And very soon thereafter actually I met my husband then. So I didn’t start anything really. How challenging was it for you to embrace an Islamic lifestyle, such as avoiding haram (forbidden) and praying five times a day? Yeah, well to be honest, I didn’t find it that difficult. Because I was really convinced, and I’m still today, that the guidelines Allah (the Glorified and Exalted) gives us are full of wisdom. I mean they are there only for the good of society and in particular for the good of women, for her protection, since she is definitely the more vulnerable person. I mean women were given so many rights in Islam more than 1400 years ago. I mean the right to inherit, the right to choose her husband, the right to divorce, the right to earn and keep her own money, and even the responsibility to educate herself. I mean these are rights women in Europe just only received recently. So back to your question, embracing an Islamic lifestyle, like for example putting on the hijab (headscarf) was actually a decision I took in the bus. I still remember like today I was sitting and looking at all the people around me, and I thought, am I really afraid of putting on a piece of fabric on my head because of what people might think or say? Or am I actually more concerned about what Allah thinks and says? And the answer was very clear to me. So I started wearing hijab (headscarf) the next day. And I was so nervous. I remember my heart just went boom boom boom boom. But it was actually so much easier than I thought it would be. It gave me a very deep sense of wholeness because I expressed on the outside what I carried on my inside. Yeah. So it was much easier to start with that hijab (headscarf) step. Have you ever experienced an extraordinary moment where you felt a special connection with Allah? Oh yes. Several times. For example, after I divorced. My children and I had to start completely on our own. No money, no savings, no job, no family support. Nobody there to help. I had to move to a new city and find a place to live. And everyone who has ever tried to rent a place in that city knows how impossible it is. I mean they ask you for income, deposits, guarantees. I didn’t have any of it. And really there are so many ads even of very well-educated people with a stable income searching desperately for a place. I swear to God, this felt like mission impossible. And I remember very well. I was sitting at my computer, planning actually to start checking for rental ads, and at that moment, I went into full submission and trust. And I said, “Ya Allah (O Allah), guide me. Show me where to go. And the first place I’ll get, I will take it because You know what’s best for us.” And it was on a Thursday. I checked out it was the first time I ever checked out. And there was only one ad newly placed. A beautiful house, big enough for all of us and affordable. I sent a message to the people of the ad, and they told me that I could come on Saturday between 10 and 12 a.m., but they warned me that many people are expected, so bring a lot of time with you. I said it’s fine. Please share your address. On Friday I checked the address, and you know what happened? The guy added a note to the ad saying to everyone who was interested, “Please contact me again because all emails got deleted by the system.” I thought huh? I thought so strange. But I didn’t give it a second thought because I was more concerned about what to wear. I was so unsure about the hijab (headscarf). I thought okay, should I wear the hijab (headscarf) the loose way? A bit to the back, you know? Or the traditional way to the front? And I didn’t wanna come across too religious, you know, we are here in Germany. There is quite a lot of racism. And then I said, okay God, this is all in Your hands. And I will wear it the traditional way. And if we are supposed to live in this beautiful house, You will make it happen. So Saturday morning, due to another early appointment I had and heavy traffic, I arrived very late. At 10:45. The family opened the door, smiled and said, “Welcome, you are the first one.” I remember thinking “what? There were supposed to be so many others.” Just later on I understood that most people never got the address since their emails were deleted. Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah). So long story short, the tenants had planned to recommend the first person they like to the landlord. Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah). And that morning, I was the first one that arrived, and they liked. So against all odds, we got the house. And I swear to God, it was such a beautiful house. Huge garden, lovely Muslim neighbours. Everything we needed was close by. And really I cried so many tears of gratitude every single day. Because finally, I could give my children a peaceful and beautiful home. You know so many people search for years and never get a place. But when you truly let yourself fall, completely, in full submission, only then Allah will carry you. And it is such a beautiful feeling. It’s so difficult to reach. Sister Patricia, your Islamic journey also influenced your health journey. Can you tell us more about that please? After my 20 years of toxic marriage and raising my children, I hit rock bottom, as I said. And my body simply collapsed. I developed autoimmune diseases, Hashimoto and psoriasis. I had chronic inflammations and I was really in pain every single day and night. There were times where I couldn’t even pray standing anymore. I had to sit down. And I had hair loss, heart issues, brain fog, and a deep, deep exhaustion. No matter how much I slept, no matter how much coffee I drank. And whenever I went to the doctor, she just said, “Oh, how are you doing?” I just exploded into tears. And one time she looked at me and she said, “If you continue like this, you will end up in the hospital either with burnout or with cancer.” And that really scared me. Because at that time, I was really afraid of getting cancer. At those times, I experienced again one of those miracles of my life. I was working in front of the computer and my mum was trying to cheer me up. She told me on the phone, “Oh go and check my Facebook profile. I posted something funny.” I never did things like that. Never, never, never, ever. I had absolutely no time. But at this moment, something really special happened. And I still remember it today. It really felt like someone is putting a hand on my hand, pushing the mouse. I clicked on my mum’s profile, scrolled a bit, and suddenly there was this headline: “Breakthrough in cancer research. Healing cancer with berries.” And from that moment on, I dove deep into research and holistic health. I was so thirsty for health. I was so obsessed with understanding. I just wished to understand how the body works, how can you put all the dots together. And I took hundreds and hundreds of supplements, tried everything, changed everything. I followed health experts from all over the world who claimed to heal chronic illnesses and autoimmune diseases. And here I am today, Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to Allah), it worked. With God’s permission. What is biofilm and what projects are you currently working on? Well, biofilm is basically a sticky dirt in your gut that can make you sick. And from my experience, almost everyone has it. And probably you too. And by the way, biofilm is nothing new. You know, just think about the drain pipe under your sink. You know, there’s always that kind of slimy, smelly layer that builds up on the inside wall, right? And something similar like a slimy layer can also form along the inner wall of your gut pipe, where the largest part of your immune system is. And that can be a real problem. And I honestly believe that biofilm is one of the most overlooked topics when it comes to health. I mean even studies published by the American Health Institute suggest that up to 80% of chronic infections in our bodies involve biofilms. It’s crazy. And that’s why removing biofilm in my gut changed everything. And when you remove it with my gut cleanse system, you can actually flush it out and hold it in your hands. I just love it. And you should definitely try it. So the problem is that with the lifestyle of nowadays, with all the food we eat, the processed food we eat, we’re actually feeding the bad bugs instead of the good ones. So if you want to reduce the chance of a biofilm forming and growing, just keep feeding the good bugs. And they love nature, they love real food, they love whole food. And anything that’s natural and clean, eat it. Anything else, leave it. And then you feed your good bacterias. So what does Islam and medicine mean to you? Well, I truly believe that Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala (the Glorified and Exalted) created our amazing body to carry us through this life. I mean it’s a gift from God. And one thing I realised throughout my health journey is that your body is always trying to protect you. And I really wish that medicine would focus on supporting the healing processes Allah created already inside of us instead of just treating symptoms. I mean why not try to understand what the body is doing? I mean why does the body suddenly increase cholesterol? Why do insulin receptors suddenly respond less? Why does the heart increase the pressure? Who’s asking those questions? And if you really look for the reason, you’ll be amazed because your body is not failing you. Most of the time it’s actually saving you from something worse. And it really makes me sad that we as Muslims have so much clear guidance on what to eat and what not to eat, and even how much to eat. And if I’m not mistaken, in the Quran there are only four verses that talk about eating what is halal (permissible). But always in combination with what is tayyib (pure/good). Which means what is good. So tell me, what is really good nowadays? Is sugar halal (permissible)? Yes. But is it good for us? No. Is eating meat halal (permissible)? Hopefully. But is eating meat every day good for us? No. And the halal (permissible) stamp on the package doesn’t mean it’s tayyib (pure/good). And I really think that Islam and medicine should go hand in hand. I mean our Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala (the Glorified and Exalted) created with every disease a healing. And by the way, this hadith (prophetic tradition) is standing in my kitchen shelf as a reminder. What impressed you the most about Prophet Muhammad, (peace be upon him)? I think it’s that he was known for being always very gentle, for always being very kind, and for being fair. Sometimes if I imagine living in that time, risking everything, risking your life, risking your status. You risk everything. You can lose everything. And still remain friendly and loving and fair. I mean that’s… that’s really… that’s unhuman. I mean anyone would just be like really upset, anyone would just like be like mad, anyone would be just like, you know, possibly turn to be unfair. But he wasn’t. And to have that stamina, to have that courage, and to have that strength, is amazing. It just can only be if you’re chosen by God, if you’re a messenger. Nobody else would do that. Lastly, if you had one minute to speak to all the non-Muslims in the world, what would you want to say to them? I really wished you could feel what I feel when I read the Quran. Some of those verses, they really move me to tears because I realise these are the words of the Creator. And no human being would talk like this. And there’s one part in particular. After Allah describes all the signs of creation and all the evidence around, He asks mankind one question: So where are you going? I mean you can chase goals, distract yourself, exhaust yourself, build houses, build families. You can buy cars. You can fill your days and always struggle for more. And then pause for a moment, close your eyes. And when your Creator gently asks you, full of love, try to feel it. So where are you going?