{"id":1997,"date":"2014-06-03T11:05:00","date_gmt":"2014-06-03T11:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/english.thesunrisetoday.com\/?p=1997"},"modified":"2014-06-03T11:05:00","modified_gmt":"2014-06-03T11:05:00","slug":"film-star-plans-marriage-after-embracing-islam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english.thesunrisetoday.com\/index.php\/film-star-plans-marriage-after-embracing-islam\/","title":{"rendered":"Film star plans marriage after embracing Islam"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Monika\"<\/a>South Indian actress Monica has embraced Islam, leaving behind the life of lights. \u201cI have converted not because of love or money and I am not such a person. I embraced Islam because I like its principles,\u201d she told reporters.
\n\u201cHereafter I won\u2019t act in films, it gives some pain but I don\u2019t change my mind.\u201d
\nShe has changed her name to Rahima.
\nMonica added: \u201cI have been practicing Islam for almost four years now. My father is a Christian and my mother is a Hindu and they support my decision fully. My last film \u2018Nadhigal Nanaivathillai\u2019 would be releasing soon and I won\u2019t be acting in films henceforth.\u201d
\nBorn as Rekha Maruthiraj, she took the name Monica for her acting career in Tamil and Telugu films. Later, she changed her name to Parvana for Malayalam films. Now her Muslim name is M.G. Rahima.
\nShe announced her decision in Chennai at a news conference on Friday in which she released photos showing her wearing modest costume and hijab.
\nMonica, who had won Tamil Nadu State Award as the best child actor for her performance in En Aasai Machan, was last seen in Tamil film Jannal Oram in November 2013. Monica is not the first Indian celebrity to revert to Islam.
\nMonica\u2019s parents Maruti Raj and Gracy were also present at the press meet. \u201cI am strongly inspired by the Islamic tenets which I read in books. I am planning to settle down and will announce my wedding plans soon,\u201d Monica said.<\/p>\n

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