Episode 115:
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Host: Adee Simon Macdowell.
Guest: Gene Netto.

Today we speak with Gene Netto, a motivational speaker who lives in Indonesia. Join us as we discuss everything about the topic of converting to Islam.

About Gene:

Converted in 1996 at the age of 25
Aged 50
Born in New Zealand, moved to Australia with his family, aged 18, went to university there, then moved to Indonesia aged 25, until now
Currently lives in Jakarta, Indonesia, since 1995
Is an English teacher, teacher trainer, writer, editor, translator
Is passionate about education, religion, dawah, charity, social work, speaking out on violence against children in Indonesia, politics, international relations


Gene's hobbies and interests include:

Writing, blogging, daily Facebook posts in Indonesian language.
Personal counseling about religion, education, personal problems.
Giving speeches about Islam in mosques, offices and homes.
Motivational speaking (mostly for orphans, teachers, etc.)
Social work (eg. helping poor people set up a small business, like a food stall).
Fundraising for Charity. In the past few years, he has collected and distributed about $USD 250,000 in Indonesia, all for orphans and widows, disabled children, and poor people to help them start a small business, etc.
Learning and teaching Silat (Indonesian martial art) since 1996 (not active at the moment)


Gene says:
I am an English teacher from New Zealand and Australia. I have a BA in Asian Studies and a Graduate Diploma in Education. I have been living and working in Indonesia from 1995 until now. My longest job was as a Senior English Language Teacher at a language school for 7 years. I also taught in Private Schools and Businesses in Jakarta. I am a member of the Indonesian Teachers Association, and a teacher trainer. I am also a writer, editor, translator, public speaker, motivator, personal counselor, and often help friends with business development, marketing and strategic analysis. I also teach creative thinking, brainstorming, and organizational development.
I am often asked to teach non-Muslims about Islam, and also teach some non-practicing Muslims about Islam. I frequently guide and help new converts, and many people (Indonesian and westerners) have converted to Islam after discussing religion with me. I sometimes talk with Indonesian Muslims who have not done salat for 20-30 years, and after one conversation with me, they start praying 5x again.
In the past few years, I have been trying to establish a free national teacher training program to improve the quality of 3 million teachers in Indonesia. They teach 60 million students every year. I have set up a not-for-profit foundation in Indonesia to build that program and several others, but don't have any funding yet to start my programs.
I am often busy with a wide range of activities in Jakarta, including writing a book about Christianity and Islam, editing books and articles, giving speeches about Islam, running charity and social programs for orphans and poor children, giving advice and counseling about various subjects such as education, religion and social problems.I have a Facebook page and blog in Indonesian language, both of which are updated daily.
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gene-Netto/321218826597Blog: https://genenetto.blogspot.com/Email: genenetto@gmail.com
Blue Bamboo Foundation Websitehttps://genenetto.blogspot.com/ (still being developed)Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/bambubiru.org/

Gene studied Islam with:

KH. Masyhuri Syahid MA, from 1996-2007. Kyai Masyhuri was the Head of the Fatwa Commission in the Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI). He died in 2007.
Prof. Dr. Ali Mustafa Yaqub (the Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mo