The Islamic Bulletin Volume X X II No. 27 Page 2 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR NEED TO CONTACT US? Web Address: www.islamicbulletin.org E-Mail: info@islamicbulletin.org Editor, Islamic Bulletin P.O. Box 410186 San Francisco, CA 94141-0186, USA Dear Editor, AssalamuAlaikum, I heard that Arnoud Van Doorn, who was one of the men involved in the Dutch movie that made fun of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (S) became Muslim. Is this true? Or is this another fake story going around? JAK, Muhammad Abdul-Azeez Assalamu Alaikum Brother, Subhanallah and Allahu Akbar! Allah (SWT) has indeed placed the seed of Imam into the heart of Brother Doorn. In fact, the Saudi Gazette has written and published an article, “ I am sorry, O Prophet....” on the conversion of Arnoud Van Doorn. I have attached the article for you to read. When this blasphemous movie was being distributed throughout the world, how many Muslims made dua for any of the producers of this film? I found it very interesting that when the Muslims conquered Makkah more than 1400 years ago, it is recorded that when entereing his beloved city, our Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (S) head was hung low due to complete humbleness and humility; in praise and respectfullness of his Creator, to thank Him for his peaceful victory. Although this was a huge victory for the Muslims, he (S) showed no pride or joy in this triumph. The Prophet’s (S) life should be greatly reflected upon so that both Muslims and non-Muslims may understand the lessons that it teaches to society. The reality of life as human beings is that people can change. This teaches Muslims to always be faithful to Allah and be aware that the All-Mighty is the One who can give victory and loss. So Muslims should remember his Creator in all humility, just like the Prophet (pbuh) did. The greatest lesson we can learn from this story is forgiveness and that it is a valuable means of achieving peace. Salams, The Islamic Bulletin Staff “ I am sorry, O Prophet....” Dutch politician Geert Wilders’ party Arnoud Van Doorn visited the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah to pray and say sorry for becoming part of a blasphemous film. Doorn was among the Freedom Party leaders who produced the blasphemous film, Fitna. Last month he reverted to Islam after an extensive study about the religion and the Prophet (peace be upon him). He said that the worldwide outrage against the film made him study about the Prophet (pbuh) and that eventually led to his conversion. He headed for Makkah to perform Umrah after meeting the two imams of the Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Ali Al-Hudaifi and Sheikh Salah Al-Badar, who enlightened him on how to lead the life of a good Muslim. A member of the Dutch parliament and The Hague City Council, Doorn announced his decision to accept Islam on his Twitter profile. He also posted a tweet in Arabic declaring that “there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his Prophet.” At first, other users took the news as a joke. After all, an active supporter of a notorious Dutch hater of Islam, Wilders, he repeatedly approved Islamophobic statements and public actions, and personally participated in them. But Doorn, who now serves as a regional adviser at the City Hall in The Hague, personally confirmed his decision to practice Islam in an official letter to the city mayor. Most recently, the politician filed a formal application to the mayor of the city to allow him to perform prayers obligatory for Muslims during his working hours. “I can understand people are skeptic, especially that it is unexpected for many of them,” Doorn told Al-Jazeera English satellite channel. “This is a very big decision, which I have not taken lightly.” “In my own close circle people have known that I have been actively researching the Qur’an, Hadith, Sunnah and other writings for almost a year now,” he said. “In addition, I have had numerous conversations with Muslims about the religion.” Driven by his party’s anti-Islam discourse, Doorn decided to dig in for the truth about the religion himself. “I have heard so many negative stories about Islam, but I am not a person who follows opinions of others without doing my own research,” he said. “Therefore, I have actually started to deepen my knowledge of Islam out of curiosity.” The 46-year-old has continued on The Hague Council as an independent candidate since splitting from Wilders’s party. Doorn’s decision to embrace Islam has won mixed reactions in the Netherlands. “According to some people I am a traitor, but according to most others I have actually made a very good decision,” he told AlJazeera. “The reactions are generally positive and I also received quite some support via twitter. “It feels good that people who do not know me personally have understanding of my situation and support me in my choice.” Asked if he now regretted joining the Freedom Party, he replied: “I have learned that every experience in life has a purpose. However, with the knowledge I have today, I would have undoubtedly made a different choice.” For the Dutch politician, finding Islam was finally guiding him to the true path in his life. “I have made mistakes in life as many others. From these mistakes I have learned a lot,” Doorn said. “And by my conversion to Islam I have the feeling that I finally found my path. I realize that this is a new start and that I still have much to learn as well.”
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