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Meet Roshni Hafeez: White, blind and .. a Muslim

Roshni Hafeez is used to the reaction of cab drivers who pick her up at work, writes Annie Brown. Typically they will say: "You cannae be a Muslim, you're white."

But as a blind woman and a convert to Islam, Roshni is used to breaking down stereotypes.

She said: "I have a visual impairment, which means I've had so much stick for all kinds of other reasons, so you learn to counteract that and use it in a positive way.

"I tell them about myself, that I have halal turkey with my Christian parents at Christmas. I connect with them in a human way. Muslims have been demonised and talking to each other is the best way to counter that."

Roshni was once Ruth Forrest, from East Kilbride, who went to Sunday school at her Baptist church.

Now aged 26, she is the winner of the Young Scottish Muslim of the Year Award and is devoted to Islam.

The 2008 awards will take place on October 30 at Celtic Park and they aim to highlight the good young Muslims are doing every day in Scotland.

And, as winners such as Roshni demonstrate, there is no typical Muslim. Roshni had been brought up a Christian, but never felt that was enough for her.

Her interest in Islam grew when she tuned in to Radio Ramadhan, a community station in Glasgow.

Full story at the Daily Record.