Faith Abbey was shunned by her dad for 5 years when he developed anti-Islam views, joined English Defence League ‘It’s from my religion to be forgiving and caring and loving’ LONDON: A Muslim convert has reunited with her father, who shunned her for half a decade after he became involved with the far-right English Defence League (EDL). Faith Abbey, 28, had been close with her father until he developed what she described as “narrow-minded and rigid views on Muslims and their presence in the UK.” He went on to join the EDL, established in 2009 and known for its Islamophobic and anti-immigrant stances. Its members have regularly faced criminal proceedings for violence and hate crimes against Britain’s ethnic and religious minorities. “He was in trouble with the police for various incidents related to the EDL, and realized he’d fallen in with the wrong kind of people,” Abbey said. “He realized that the people in life who’ve been most kind to him and generous and forgiving are actually Muslims, and they’re kind people who are full of love, not hate. He also realized a lot of what the EDL believe about Muslims isn’t actually true.” Abbey grew up in the UK, and told Metro newspaper that she was originally a Christian before converting to Islam nine years ago. She said reuniting with her father over lunch in London was “one of the best days of (her) life.” She added: “It was amazing. I’ve always loved my father and wanted him to be happy. It’s from my religion to be forgiving and caring and loving … I always loved him and wished the best for him.”