Yusuf, 33, chef:

"I converted about half a year ago. I was emerging from 'dark days', debt and drink. After the death of a colleague, I left my job. They were difficult times, and a friend of mine who had converted came and introduced me to Islam. We had long conversations and after a while took me to a mosque. I was quite nervous, and people made a few comments. But I converted. It was a small ceremony, with lots of hugs. I'm an only child from a broken family, so it's really nice to feel part of a community.